Historical Promotion Takes Place In Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office

CHESAPEAKE
Colonel William C. Bennett, Jr. is officially Chesapeake’s first African-American Undersheriff. On Monday, September 11, 2017, Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan promoted Bennett to the rank of Colonel during a special promotional ceremony.

The Chesapeake Sheriff’s Honor Guard marched into the room and presented colors, before Lt. Trina Washington performed the National Anthem. The Master of Ceremonies started his speech by acknowledging the thousands who lost their lives 16 years ago on September 11, 2001. The whole room paused for a moment of the silence for the victims and the first responders.
Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan presented Col. Bennett with a promotional plaque, his new credentials, and his new badge. Col. Bennett had the honor of having his mother, Joan Bennett, pin his new badge onto his uniform for the first time. Col. Bennett thanked the crowd for coming. “It’s an honor to be promoted, but I didn’t get here by myself,” Col. Bennett said. “We have a great department, and a great sheriff. And I want to thank my family.”

The ceremony was attended by many local dignitaries, including Mayor Alan Krasnoff, Vice-Mayor Rick West, City Councilwoman Dr. Ella Ward, State Delegate Cliff Hayes, Police Chief Kelvin Wright, Deputy Police Chief Mark Solesky, former Chesapeake Mayor William E. Ward, and Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron.

Col. Bennett is a Chesapeake native. He graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School in 1978. While earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Ohio Dominican University, Col. Bennett decided to pursue a career in public safety. He graduated with honors from the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Academy, as well as from the Portsmouth Police Department’s SWAT and K-9 Patrol Academy.

He served as a member of the Chesapeake Police Department’s SWAT team from 1983 to 1988. He began his career at the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office in 1982 as a Deputy Sheriff, and quickly rose through the ranks. Col. Bennett served as the Chief of Corrections for five years before being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014.

Sylvia Massey (Aunt); Joan Bennett (Mother); Lisette Bennett (Daughter);
Maria Bennett (Wife); and Col. Bennett

Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff and Col. Bennett

Councilwoman Dr. Ella Ward, Sylvia Massey, Col. Bennett, Joan Bennett, Bonita Harris, Dominion Energy

Del. Cliff Hayes, Sylvia Massey, Col. Bennett, Joan Bennett

Chesapeake NAACP President Helena Dodson
and Col. Bennett

A group of well-wishers