SJ214: Commending Paul J. Lanteigne.

WHEREAS, Paul Lanteigne is commended for his outstanding service as sheriff of the City of Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished 34-year career as a law-enforcement officer, Paul Lanteigne served his fellow citizens with compassion, great skill, and integrity; and

WHEREAS, Paul Lanteigne received a bachelor?s degree from Saint Leo?s College and graduated from the FBI National Academy; he also pursued postgraduate work in public administration at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, an experienced and exemplary administrator, Paul Lanteigne became sheriff of the City of Virginia Beach in August 2000 and served until 2009; and

WHEREAS, Sheriff Lanteigne oversaw a staff of over 600 and an annual operating budget of $39 million; he also supervised the design, construction, and operation of a state-of-the-art 624-bed jail; and

WHEREAS, committed to excellence, Sheriff Lanteigne worked diligently to ensure that the sheriff?s office received full law-enforcement accreditation during his tenure; and

WHEREAS, Sheriff Lanteigne and his office also handled the high-profile ?D.C. Sniper Trial,? with hundreds of press members and 40 live television trucks; and

WHEREAS, since 1991, Paul Lanteigne has also helped educate a new generation of law-enforcement personnel as an adjunct professor of criminology at Tidewater Community College; and

WHEREAS, Paul Lanteigne has generously given of his time and talents as a member of the Virginia Beach School Board and Virginia Beach City Council and as chairman and board member of the Virginia Lottery Board; and

WHEREAS, Paul Lanteigne has also served as first vice president of the Sheriff?s Community Fund, as a board member of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation and Gateway Bank, as an executive board member of the Pungo Strawberry Festival, and as regional director of the Special Olympics; and

WHEREAS, Paul Lanteigne has received numerous awards and accolades for his service, including the DEA/DARE National Law Enforcement Executive of the Year, FBI Directors Community Leadership Award, United States Attorney?s Office Award for Public Service, Virginia Beach Optimist Club Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission Human Rights Award, Cox Communications Great Citizen of Hampton Roads, Masons Community Builders Award, United States Army Patriotic Employer Award, and Partners in Education Community Heroes Award; and

WHEREAS, Paul Lanteigne has served the City of Virginia Beach with great distinction and has been supported in all his endeavors by his wife, Tracey, and children, Ashley, Adam, and Austin; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend a dedicated law-enforcement professional and outstanding Virginian, Paul Lanteigne; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Paul Lanteigne as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for his outstanding public service and best wishes in his future endeavors.