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HR396 • 2026

Commending Thomas M. Woody.

Commending Thomas M. Woody.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Wyatt
Last action
2026-04-24
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on all of Thomas M. Woody's achievements and leadership roles, only a general commendation.

Commending Thomas M. Woody

This bill commends Thomas M. Woody for his long service as a law enforcement officer in Hanover County.

What This Bill Does

  • Says that the House of Delegates wants to commend Thomas M. Woody.
  • Notes that Thomas M. Woody retired from the Hanover County Sheriff's Office after nearly 40 years of work.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Thomas M. Woody, who is being commended for his service to Hanover County.
  • The House of Delegates, which passed the bill.

Terms To Know

Lieutenant Colonel
A high-ranking officer in a police or military organization.
Sheriff's Office
The department responsible for law enforcement and public safety in a county.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill does not give any money or change laws, it is just a statement of commendation.
  • It only affects Thomas M. Woody and the people who know about his service.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-24 House

    Bill text as passed House (HR396ER)

  2. 2026-03-12 House

    Engrossed by House

  3. 2026-03-12 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  4. 2026-03-11 House

    Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26109606D

Official Summary Text

Commending Thomas M. Woody.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending Thomas M. Woody.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, in February 2026, Thomas M. Woody of Mechanicsville retired as a lieutenant colonel with the Hanover County Sheriff's Office after nearly 40 years of service to the community as a law-enforcement officer; and
WHEREAS, after graduating at the top of his class from the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy, Thomas Woody began his long and distinguished tenure with the Hanover County Sheriff's Office on March 1, 1987, as a patrol deputy; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his 39-year career, Thomas Woody rose through the ranks and held leadership roles in the Patrol Division, Investigative Division, Street Crimes Unit, and the Training and Personnel Unit; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, Thomas Woody achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel and began serving as chief of staff to the sheriff of Hanover County; and
WHEREAS, to better serve the public, Thomas Woody completed the Institute for Leadership in Changing Times at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the Professional Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond, as well as additional training in advanced supervision and incident management; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Woody has received more than 100 commendations from citizens, supervisors, and coworkers in recognition of his outstanding service to the residents of Hanover County and the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, admired for his positive and supportive leadership style, Thomas Woody has been a trusted mentor to many younger members of the Hanover County Sheriff's Office and a dedicated and dependable friend for all of his fellow law-enforcement officers; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Woody's personal integrity and commitment to excellence helped the Hanover County Sheriff's Office fulfill its mission to serve and protect members of the public and greatly enhanced the quality of life in Hanover County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Thomas M. Woody hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement from the Hanover County Sheriff's Office in 2026; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Thomas M. Woody as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his legacy of contributions to the residents of Hanover County and best wishes on his well-earned retirement.