IN MEMORIAM

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	John Wesley Burrow AOC 17 Turned 100 on March 5, 2013 (March 5 1913-March 29, 2013) Captain John Wesley Burrow, 100, of Salem, Va., passed away on Friday, March 29, 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Almyra Beazley Burrow (Almyra’s online obituary deceased April 15, 2010). He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Lynn Burrow, of Signal Mountain, Tenn., and Richard and Janet Burrow, of Roanoke. Capt. Burrow is also survived by nine grandchildren; ten great-granddaughters; his sisters, Katherine B. Munt Tompkins, Helen B. Adams, and Ruth B. Figg; brother-in-law, Kenneth Figg; sister-in-law, Lillian Burrow; a number of nieces and nephews; and his devoted family friend, Mattie Mann. John Burrow was born on March 5, 1913, the son of Joseph Henry and Ladye Pierce Warren Burrow. He spent his childhood near Burrowsville in Prince George County, Va., where he grew up on a farm in a family of eleven children, five girls and six boys. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by seven brothers and sisters, Aubrey Burrow, Joseph Burrow Jr., Waverly Burrow, Billy Burrow, Dick Burrow, Jennie Mae B. Hedgepeth, and Sue B. Hohman. After enlisting in the Navy in 1942, he served in World War II for three years, two as Chief Warrant Officer aboard the USS Alpine, an amphibious ship in the Pacific Theatre of Operation. He was the recipient of six Bronze Stars, the WWII Victory Award, and a Navy Unit Commendation Award. After the war, he returned to his former position as Trooper with the Virginia State Police. Throughout the following years, he moved through the ranks with assignments in eight Virginia communities. In 1961, Capt. Burrow became the first Commander of the Sixth Division when it was established in Salem. He remained there as Division Commander until his retirement in 1973 with 34 years of service. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Salem for 51 years and was a member and past president of the Salem Kiwanis Club. In 2010, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution commending Capt. Burrow for his outstanding service to the citizens of the Commonwealth, an “expression of the admiration, respect, and gratitude of the General Assembly.” In 2013, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, the City of Salem issued a Proclamation in his honor and he received a Plaque of Recognition from the VSP Alumni Association. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, VA. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 2 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. There will also be a period of visitation on Saturday, April 6, 2013 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Newville United Methodist Church in Disputanta, Va. A graveside service will then follow at 11 a.m. in the Burrow Family Cemetery adjacent to the church. The Virginia State Police will provide an Honor Guard for the services. Memorial gifts may be given to First United Methodist Church at 125 W. Main Street in Salem, Va. 24153; to the Newville United Methodist Church at 9014 Hines Road in Disputanta, Va. 23842; or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the caring staff of Brandon Oaks Rehabilitation Center, as well as many friends and family members who supported John, especially during his 99th and 100th years. View PDF File \| View Online Funeral Home Obituary \| Link to sign / view the Family Guest Book online through March 2014 courtesy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
	Edward Lovell Mercer 38th AOC, August 28-Nov 17, 1967 Edward Lovell Mercer passed away on Wednesday, May 30, 2012. He was born in Greenville, KY, on June 3, 1942.He was a proud graduate of Owensboro Senior High School and earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Louisville. He was also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute and the F.B.I. National Academy. Ed joined the United States Army after graduation from high school and served three years (1959-1962). He was with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany during the time when the Berlin Wall was erected. Ed was appointed to the Louisville Division of Police on January 29, 1964 and served the City of Louisville for 27 years. He retired with the rank of Major/Assistant Chief and was the Chief of Detectives for the last five years of his service. Among his many achievements, he was the founder and first commander of the Louisville Police Honor Guard. He also established the nationally recognized Crimes Against Children Unit. He went on to serve as the director of the Division of Special Investigations of the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and then as the director of Enforcement for the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. He retired from active law enforcement in 2003 and became a private investigator. In 2008, he was appointed by the governor to the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators and served as the chairman of that board until 2012. In addition to his law enforcement career, Ed served as an adjunct professor for the University of Louisville, Austin Peay State University, Bethel University and Sullivan University. Additionally, he lectured nationwide for the Southern Police Institute. He also taught frequently for the Louisville Police Academy and the Kentucky Department for Criminal Justice Training. He was a Master Mason and Past Master of Sunset Lodge 915, F.& A.M. He was also a 32nd degree Knight Commander of the Court of Honor of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Louisville; a member of the York Rite bodies and a past commander of the Legion of Honor of the Kosair Shrine. Ed's involvement with the Boy Scouts of America spanned most of his life. He was a Scout as a boy, then served in many positions as an adult leader. He was a member of the Lincoln Heritage Council Executive Board, the Southern Region Executive Board and the National Boy Scout Advancement Committee. For his service to Scouting, he was awarded the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope. After his retirement, Ed satisfied a lifelong ambition by writing and publishing a novel. His book, The Dead Stroll, a novel about police investigations in the 1960s in Louisville, was very successful in Louisville area and stayed on The Courier Journal local best-seller list for 10 weeks. He is survived by his wife and best friend, the love of his life, Sharon Eli Mercer; his son, Owen Edward Mercer; his daughter, Mauri Smith (Curtis); his brother, Harry D. Brown, of Greenville; his sister, Frances Baker, of Hopkinsville, KY; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews and his beloved Golden Retriever, Sarah. There will be a celebration of Ed’s life at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Visitation is 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. An FOP memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday and a Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday with a Scottish Rite service to follow. Interment will be at McKnight Cemetery in Christian County, KY. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Kosair Charities; Lincoln Heritage Council, B.S.A; The Scottish Rite Foundation; or GRRAND. Condolence notes to Sharon E Mercer, 4627 Beaver Rd., Louisville, KY 40207-3513. In 2011, Ed was a guest speaker at the International Association of Women Police Annual Training Conference in Lexington, Kentucky. He became a quick favorite and gave insights on how he developed characters for his book, The Dead Stroll, available at amazon.com. Ed was working on his second book when he passed away. Shown below are photos from the book signing in 2011 at the IAWP Conference. View PDF File \| View Online Obituary \| Link to sign / view the Family Guest Book online through June 2013.
	Jerry W. Lovitt 81st AOC Jerry W. Lovitt passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at home surrounded by his loved ones and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. A native of Williamsburg, he was born July 3, 1945, to the late Elmer and Edna Prewitt Lovitt. Jerry served 35 years in the military including U.S. Army, National Guard and Coast Guard, retiring as commander of the 615th MP Det. (CID). He received the Soldier’s Medal and the Legion of Merit Award as well as many others. He was a career Kentucky State Police officer, holding every permanent and appointed rank in the organization, and retired after 27 years as commissioner. He was a former commander of the Richmond Post 7 and was awarded the KSP medal for meritorious service and the Valor Award for bravery. He earned his MA from Eastern Kentucky University, where he was a adjunct professor in the school of law enforcement, was selected outstanding alumni in 1991, and was inducted into the EKU Hall of Fame in 1995. After his retirement, he worked for the city of Nicholasville for more than 10 years. Jerry was a member of Southland Christian Church, the Hart Lodge No. 61 F & AM, and numerous law-enforcement organizations, as well as the Nicholasville Rotary Club, serving on the scholarship committee, the DAV, and many other boards and committees. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Debbie Roberts Lovitt; son Jerry Marc Lovitt and wife Heather; his granddaughters whom he dearly loved, Erin Harper and Jessica Noelle; brothers Matt and wife Becky, and Joe and wife Pat; sister Naomi; special cousin Jr. Prewitt; and dear friends John and Monica West, whose support helped fight this battle. He was preceded in death by the light of his life, daughter Sara Hart Lovitt; three brothers Paul, Charles and Martin; and sister Retha. His remembrance ceremony was held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 1, at Hughes Auditorium, Wilmore, and was officiated by James Hodge and Charlie Johnson. Honoring him as pallbearers were KSP Post 7. Honorary bearers were John West, Hugh Henkle, Jesse Holbrook, Gerald Cobb, Don Falin, Jim Tipton, Charlie Johnson, Billy Wellman, Whiz and David Latham. He was laid to rest beside their daughter in Maple Grove Cemetery. View PDF File \| Link to sign / view the Family Guest Book online through May 2013, courtesy of The Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper, Lexington, KY.
	James Marshall Jacobs 52nd AOC, Aug 19-Nov 22, 1974 James Marshall Jacobs, 81, of Salem, died on Thursday, April 26, 2012. He was born on July 22, 1930 in Thoroughfare Gap in Fauquier County and grew up in Rapidan in Culpeper County. He was a proud Korean War veteran having served in the United States Marine Corps and stationed at Quantico, VA. Professionally, he was retired from the VA State Police Division 6 Headquarters in Glenvar after 37 ½ years having moved through the ranks as Trooper to Captain. His church membership was held at Cave Spring Baptist Church. He was also a big Atlanta Braves fan. Preceding him in death were his parents, Raymond Logan and Cecelia Owens Jacobs; and a brother, Raymond Logan Jacobs, Jr. His surviving family includes his wife, Nancy R. Jacobs of Salem; children, Douglas Marshall Jacobs and wife, Kathleen, of Hardy, Susan A. Jacobs of Hollywood, FL, and Carol A. Nin and husband, Robert, of Coral Springs, FL; granddaughter, Elizabeth Lauren Jacobs; brother, Shirly Lee Jacobs and wife, Anne, of Bristol, TN; sisters-in-law, Billie Jacobs, Frances Runyon, and Dot Mowbray; numerous nieces and nephews, and a special dog, Sadie. View PDF File \| View Online Obituary \| Link to sign / view the Family Guest Book online through May 2013

	John Wesley Burrow AOC 17 Turned 100 on March 5, 2013 (March 5 1913-March 29, 2013) Captain John Wesley Burrow, 100, of Salem, Va., passed away on Friday, March 29, 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Almyra Beazley Burrow (Almyra’s online obituary deceased April 15, 2010). He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Lynn Burrow, of Signal Mountain, Tenn., and Richard and Janet Burrow, of Roanoke. Capt. Burrow is also survived by nine grandchildren; ten great-granddaughters; his sisters, Katherine B. Munt Tompkins, Helen B. Adams, and Ruth B. Figg; brother-in-law, Kenneth Figg; sister-in-law, Lillian Burrow; a number of nieces and nephews; and his devoted family friend, Mattie Mann. John Burrow was born on March 5, 1913, the son of Joseph Henry and Ladye Pierce Warren Burrow. He spent his childhood near Burrowsville in Prince George County, Va., where he grew up on a farm in a family of eleven children, five girls and six boys. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by seven brothers and sisters, Aubrey Burrow, Joseph Burrow Jr., Waverly Burrow, Billy Burrow, Dick Burrow, Jennie Mae B. Hedgepeth, and Sue B. Hohman. After enlisting in the Navy in 1942, he served in World War II for three years, two as Chief Warrant Officer aboard the USS Alpine, an amphibious ship in the Pacific Theatre of Operation. He was the recipient of six Bronze Stars, the WWII Victory Award, and a Navy Unit Commendation Award. After the war, he returned to his former position as Trooper with the Virginia State Police. Throughout the following years, he moved through the ranks with assignments in eight Virginia communities. In 1961, Capt. Burrow became the first Commander of the Sixth Division when it was established in Salem. He remained there as Division Commander until his retirement in 1973 with 34 years of service. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Salem for 51 years and was a member and past president of the Salem Kiwanis Club. In 2010, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution commending Capt. Burrow for his outstanding service to the citizens of the Commonwealth, an “expression of the admiration, respect, and gratitude of the General Assembly.” In 2013, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, the City of Salem issued a Proclamation in his honor and he received a Plaque of Recognition from the VSP Alumni Association. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, VA. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 2 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. There will also be a period of visitation on Saturday, April 6, 2013 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Newville United Methodist Church in Disputanta, Va. A graveside service will then follow at 11 a.m. in the Burrow Family Cemetery adjacent to the church. The Virginia State Police will provide an Honor Guard for the services. Memorial gifts may be given to First United Methodist Church at 125 W. Main Street in Salem, Va. 24153; to the Newville United Methodist Church at 9014 Hines Road in Disputanta, Va. 23842; or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the caring staff of Brandon Oaks Rehabilitation Center, as well as many friends and family members who supported John, especially during his 99th and 100th years. View PDF File \| View Online Funeral Home Obituary \| Link to sign / view the Family Guest Book online through March 2014 courtesy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
	Edward Lovell Mercer 38th AOC, August 28-Nov 17, 1967 Edward Lovell Mercer passed away on Wednesday, May 30, 2012. He was born in Greenville, KY, on June 3, 1942.He was a proud graduate of Owensboro Senior High School and earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Louisville. He was also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute and the F.B.I. National Academy. Ed joined the United States Army after graduation from high school and served three years (1959-1962). He was with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany during the time when the Berlin Wall was erected. Ed was appointed to the Louisville Division of Police on January 29, 1964 and served the City of Louisville for 27 years. He retired with the rank of Major/Assistant Chief and was the Chief of Detectives for the last five years of his service. Among his many achievements, he was the founder and first commander of the Louisville Police Honor Guard. He also established the nationally recognized Crimes Against Children Unit. He went on to serve as the director of the Division of Special Investigations of the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and then as the director of Enforcement for the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. He retired from active law enforcement in 2003 and became a private investigator. In 2008, he was appointed by the governor to the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators and served as the chairman of that board until 2012. In addition to his law enforcement career, Ed served as an adjunct professor for the University of Louisville, Austin Peay State University, Bethel University and Sullivan University. Additionally, he lectured nationwide for the Southern Police Institute. He also taught frequently for the Louisville Police Academy and the Kentucky Department for Criminal Justice Training. He was a Master Mason and Past Master of Sunset Lodge 915, F.& A.M. He was also a 32nd degree Knight Commander of the Court of Honor of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Louisville; a member of the York Rite bodies and a past commander of the Legion of Honor of the Kosair Shrine. Ed's involvement with the Boy Scouts of America spanned most of his life. He was a Scout as a boy, then served in many positions as an adult leader. He was a member of the Lincoln Heritage Council Executive Board, the Southern Region Executive Board and the National Boy Scout Advancement Committee. For his service to Scouting, he was awarded the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope. After his retirement, Ed satisfied a lifelong ambition by writing and publishing a novel. His book, The Dead Stroll, a novel about police investigations in the 1960s in Louisville, was very successful in Louisville area and stayed on The Courier Journal local best-seller list for 10 weeks. He is survived by his wife and best friend, the love of his life, Sharon Eli Mercer; his son, Owen Edward Mercer; his daughter, Mauri Smith (Curtis); his brother, Harry D. Brown, of Greenville; his sister, Frances Baker, of Hopkinsville, KY; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews and his beloved Golden Retriever, Sarah. There will be a celebration of Ed’s life at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Visitation is 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. An FOP memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday and a Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday with a Scottish Rite service to follow. Interment will be at McKnight Cemetery in Christian County, KY. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Kosair Charities; Lincoln Heritage Council, B.S.A; The Scottish Rite Foundation; or GRRAND. Condolence notes to Sharon E Mercer, 4627 Beaver Rd., Louisville, KY 40207-3513. In 2011, Ed was a guest speaker at the International Association of Women Police Annual Training Conference in Lexington, Kentucky. He became a quick favorite and gave insights on how he developed characters for his book, The Dead Stroll, available at amazon.com. Ed was working on his second book when he passed away. Shown below are photos from the book signing in 2011 at the IAWP Conference. View PDF File \| View Online Obituary \| Link to sign / view the Family Guest Book online through June 2013.
	Jerry W. Lovitt 81st AOC Jerry W. Lovitt passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at home surrounded by his loved ones and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. A native of Williamsburg, he was born July 3, 1945, to the late Elmer and Edna Prewitt Lovitt. Jerry served 35 years in the military including U.S. Army, National Guard and Coast Guard, retiring as commander of the 615th MP Det. (CID). He received the Soldier’s Medal and the Legion of Merit Award as well as many others. He was a career Kentucky State Police officer, holding every permanent and appointed rank in the organization, and retired after 27 years as commissioner. He was a former commander of the Richmond Post 7 and was awarded the KSP medal for meritorious service and the Valor Award for bravery. He earned his MA from Eastern Kentucky University, where he was a adjunct professor in the school of law enforcement, was selected outstanding alumni in 1991, and was inducted into the EKU Hall of Fame in 1995. After his retirement, he worked for the city of Nicholasville for more than 10 years. Jerry was a member of Southland Christian Church, the Hart Lodge No. 61 F & AM, and numerous law-enforcement organizations, as well as the Nicholasville Rotary Club, serving on the scholarship committee, the DAV, and many other boards and committees. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Debbie Roberts Lovitt; son Jerry Marc Lovitt and wife Heather; his granddaughters whom he dearly loved, Erin Harper and Jessica Noelle; brothers Matt and wife Becky, and Joe and wife Pat; sister Naomi; special cousin Jr. Prewitt; and dear friends John and Monica West, whose support helped fight this battle. He was preceded in death by the light of his life, daughter Sara Hart Lovitt; three brothers Paul, Charles and Martin; and sister Retha. His remembrance ceremony was held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 1, at Hughes Auditorium, Wilmore, and was officiated by James Hodge and Charlie Johnson. Honoring him as pallbearers were KSP Post 7. Honorary bearers were John West, Hugh Henkle, Jesse Holbrook, Gerald Cobb, Don Falin, Jim Tipton, Charlie Johnson, Billy Wellman, Whiz and David Latham. He was laid to rest beside their daughter in Maple Grove Cemetery. View PDF File \| Link to sign / view the Family Guest Book online through May 2013, courtesy of The Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper, Lexington, KY.
	James Marshall Jacobs 52nd AOC, Aug 19-Nov 22, 1974 James Marshall Jacobs, 81, of Salem, died on Thursday, April 26, 2012. He was born on July 22, 1930 in Thoroughfare Gap in Fauquier County and grew up in Rapidan in Culpeper County. He was a proud Korean War veteran having served in the United States Marine Corps and stationed at Quantico, VA. Professionally, he was retired from the VA State Police Division 6 Headquarters in Glenvar after 37 ½ years having moved through the ranks as Trooper to Captain. His church membership was held at Cave Spring Baptist Church. He was also a big Atlanta Braves fan. Preceding him in death were his parents, Raymond Logan and Cecelia Owens Jacobs; and a brother, Raymond Logan Jacobs, Jr. His surviving family includes his wife, Nancy R. Jacobs of Salem; children, Douglas Marshall Jacobs and wife, Kathleen, of Hardy, Susan A. Jacobs of Hollywood, FL, and Carol A. Nin and husband, Robert, of Coral Springs, FL; granddaughter, Elizabeth Lauren Jacobs; brother, Shirly Lee Jacobs and wife, Anne, of Bristol, TN; sisters-in-law, Billie Jacobs, Frances Runyon, and Dot Mowbray; numerous nieces and nephews, and a special dog, Sadie. View PDF File \| View Online Obituary \| Link to sign / view the Family Guest Book online through May 2013