2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 701

Celebrating the life of Edward Lee Watkins.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2025

WHEREAS, Edward Lee Watkins of Nelson County, a former law-enforcement officer and a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on January 21, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Edward “Ed” Lee Watkins grew up in Rustburg and began his law-enforcement career as a member of the Campbell County Sheriff's Office; and

WHEREAS, Ed Watkins subsequently transferred to the Amherst County Sheriff's Office, where he contributed to several task forces, solved many cases, and was an integral part of the agency; and

WHEREAS, Ed Watkins settled in Nelson County to raise his family and continued to safeguard members of the public with the Nelson County Sheriff's Office, where he greatly enhanced local life through his dedication to service and was a trusted mentor to younger officers; and

WHEREAS, Ed Watkins was a graduate of the Virginia Forensic Science Academy and the Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy, where he also served as an instructor; and

WHEREAS, even after his well-earned retirement from the Nelson County Sheriff's Office, Ed Watkins remained committed to public safety, serving as a security guard at Wintergreen Resort and as a bailiff for the Nelson County Circuit Court; and

WHEREAS, outside of his career, Ed Watkins was a member of Mackey Masonic Lodge No. 69 in Rustburg for more than 50 years; he was passionate about fishing and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and was a longtime member of the Bass Masters Club and the Harley Owners Group; and

WHEREAS, Ed Watkins will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 25 years, Catherine; his daughters, Rhonda and Melissa, and their families; his stepdaughter, Amy, and her family; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Edward Lee Watkins, a retired law-enforcement officer and highly admired member of his community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Edward Lee Watkins as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.