WHEREAS, Johnny Mercer, a distinguished law-enforcement officer who has served and protected the residents of Newport News and York County for nearly five decades, retired as a deputy of the York County Sheriff's Office in 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of North Carolina, Johnny Mercer moved to the Virginia Peninsula with his family when he was young and worked in a shipyard after graduating from Newport News High School; and

WHEREAS, on his 21st birthday, Johnny Mercer fulfilled his lifelong dream to serve the public as a law-enforcement officer when he applied to join the Newport News Police Department; he began work in March 1969 and was first assigned to motorcycle duty in 1981; and

WHEREAS, after 29 years with the Newport News Police Department, Johnny Mercer joined the York County Sheriff's Office in 1998, where he quickly earned admiration as a trusted mentor to many younger deputies; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Johnny Mercer was most at home running patrols atop his motorcycle, but he carried out many other important duties, including training other officers and serving as a crossing guard in the Grafton community; and

WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement, Johnny Mercer plans to spend more time with his beloved family and seek new opportunities to support the members of the community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Johnny Mercer hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement as a deputy of the York County Sheriff's Office; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Johnny Mercer as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his decades of contributions to the Newport News and York County communities.