Sheriff Arthur Townsend (VSA President) and Deputy Sheriff Alex Madison of Lunenburg County were recognized during Governor McAuliffe’s televised State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday night.
You can read the full text of the speech given before the entire General Assembly HERE.
The following excerpt from Governor McAuliffe’s speech pertains to sheriffs and deputies:
It is appalling that Sheriff’s Deputies who risk their lives to protect Virginians often earn so little that they qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
As a candidate, I pledged to raise Deputy pay, and I am proud as Governor to have included a raise in my budget, so that the average starting salary for Virginia’s Sheriff’s Deputies is no longer so low that these brave men and women quality for food stamps.
I want to thank Sheriff Arthur Townsend and Deputy Sheriff Alex Madison from Lunenburg County for joining us here tonight and for the work you and your fellow public safety professionals do keeping our communities safe.