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SJ188 • 2026

Commending Thomas M. Woody.

Commending Thomas M. Woody.

Education
Enacted

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

Sponsor
McDougle
Last action
2026-03-14
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

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

  • Honors Thomas M. Woody for retiring after nearly 40 years of work with the Hanover County Sheriff's Office.
  • Recognizes his achievements and leadership roles within the office, including being chief of staff to the sheriff.
  • Highlights his dedication to training and education, such as completing programs at Virginia Tech and University of Richmond.
  • Acknowledges over 100 commendations he received from citizens and colleagues for his service.
  • Expresses admiration for his positive leadership style and support for younger officers.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Thomas M. Woody, who retired as a lieutenant colonel with the Hanover County Sheriff's Office.
  • The General Assembly of Virginia, which passed this commendation.

Terms To Know

Lieutenant Colonel
A high-ranking officer in the military or law enforcement who is second-in-command to a colonel.
Commendations
Official recognitions given for outstanding service or achievements.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not provide any financial support or benefits, only praise and recognition.
  • It is a symbolic gesture with no legal requirements or changes to laws.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-14 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ188ER)

  2. 2026-03-12 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  3. 2026-03-11 House

    Received

  4. 2026-03-11 House

    Laid on Speaker's table

  5. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  6. 2026-03-05 Senate

    Presented 26108103D

  7. 2026-03-05 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

  8. 2026-03-05 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

Official Summary Text

Commending Thomas M. Woody.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending Thomas M. Woody.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2026
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 Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Thomas M. Woody 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 Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Thomas M. Woody as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his legacy of contributions to the residents of Hanover County and best wishes on his well-earned retirement.