VSP Mourn Loss of Retired Superintendent and Former Secretary of Public Safety

December 3, 2009 | VACP

RICHMOND – The Virginia State Police are mourning the loss of retired Colonel Robert L. Suthard, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, after a prolonged illness. Retired Colonel Suthard served as Superintendent of State Police from 1984 to 1990, when he was appointed to Secretary of Public Safety by then-Governor L. Douglas Wilder.

“Colonel Suthard was a man of dedicated service to the Commonwealth, both in his 36 years with the State Police and as Secretary of Public Safety,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent.

“Colonel Suthard achieved many firsts for the Department in his progressive approach to advance State Police in size, technology, and training, as well as through the implementation of a variety of criminal justice programs still in operation today. While he will be greatly missed by his State Police family, we are comforted by his many contributions to the Department and the true legacy he leaves behind.”

During his tenure as Superintendent from 1984 to 1990, the Department became the second state police organization in the nation to be accredited by the National Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Suthard also oversaw the construction of a new addition to the State Police Academy, reorganization of the Department into three main bureaus, and a substantial increase in authorized personnel. He also oversaw the implementation of such programs as the Firearms Transaction Program, Virginia Clearinghouse for Missing Children, Motorist Assistance and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).

A native of Callao, Va. in the Northern Neck, Suthard joined the Virginia State Police in April 1954 and was assigned to the Eastern Shore to probate. He entered the State Police Academy in Richmond July 5, 1954, to begin his training to become a Trooper. Upon graduation from the Academy, Suthard returned to the Eastern Shore for his first patrol assignment.

Suthard was promoted to Sergeant in 1961 and assigned to the Virginia State Police Area 36 Office in Waverly. Six years later in 1967, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to the Safety Division at State Police Administrative Headquarters in Richmond.

As Lieutenant, he transferred in 1975 to the State Police Culpeper Division. In 1977, Suthard was promoted to Captain and became the Division Commander of the Culpeper Division.

Suthard returned to Richmond in 1979 in his capacity as Captain to oversee the Property and Finance Division. The following year then-Captain Suthard moved to Northern Virginia to serve as the first Division Commander for the newly-created Fairfax Division.

In 1984, former Governor Charles S. Robb appointed then-Captain Suthard to the position of Superintendent. Suthard served as Colonel until 1990. He became the first member of the Virginia State Police to be selected to serve in a governor’s cabinet when he was appointed by former Governor L. Douglas Wilder to Secretary of Public Safety.

Suthard was a recognized leader among the law enforcement community. He was elected in 1989 as fourth vice president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and second vice president of the American Association of Automobile Administrators. He was also a graduate of the 99th Session of the FBI National Academy and 10th Session of the FBI National Executive Institute.

A resident of Chesterfield County, he is survived by his wife, Lou; his son, retired Army Col. Robert L. Suthard, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Nancy Jett Suthard; and two grandchildren, Capt. Robert L. Suthard III, and Christin Jett Suthard Timpner.

MEMORIAL INFORMATION
Colonel Suthard’s funeral will be at 3pm on Sunday, December 6th at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. The church is located at 2341 Winterfield Road, Midlothian, VA. It is at the corner of Winterfield Road and Salisbury Drive. A reception will follow the funeral at the Salisbury Country Club, which is near the church.

Colonel Suthard’s burial will occur on Monday, December 7th at 2:00 pm at the Tankard’s Rest Cemetery, Exmore-Hadlock, VA, on the Eastern Shore.

Colonel Suthard’s family has announced the creation of the Colonel Robert L. Suthard Memorial Scholarship Fund, to be administered by the Virginia State Police Association. This Scholarship Fund will be used to assist member’s of the Department of State Police who are pursuing higher education. As such Colonel Suthard’s family asks that donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to:

Colonel Robert L. Suthard Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o of the Virginia State Police Association
6944 Forest Hill Avenue
Richmond, VA., 23225.

Please note, “Colonel Suthard Scholarship Fund” on the memo field of your contribution.