WHEREAS, Master Officer Woodrow W. Dowdy III, a distinguished law-enforcement officer who served the Commonwealth as a longtime member of the Division of Capitol Police, died on March 9, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Woodrow "Buddy" Dowdy grew up in the Richmond area and attended Hermitage High School, where he was a standout member of the wrestling team; he subsequently graduated from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and the University of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Buddy Dowdy joined the Division of Capitol Police in July 1987 and earned many accolades and commendations for his meritorious service over the course of his 33-year career; he was promoted to master officer in 2017 and mentored younger members of the agency as a field training officer; and

WHEREAS, often stationed at the Post 1 guardhouse overlooking the main entry point to Capitol Square at Ninth Street and Grace Street, Buddy Dowdy was a highly recognizable member of the Division of Capitol Police and exhibited courtesy and professionalism in his frequent interactions with state officials, staff members, and visitors; and

WHEREAS, Buddy Dowdy proudly served as a member of the Division of Capitol Police Honor Guard, and in 2018, he represented the division at numerous celebratory appearances commemorating its 400th anniversary as the oldest continuously operating law-enforcement agency in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Buddy Dowdy was passionate about classic cars and enjoyed a wide range of outdoor activities, from gardening to kayaking on the James River; he was also a published author who had recounted many stories from his childhood in his book The Neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Buddy Dowdy will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Cheryl; his son, Wilson; his father, Woody Dowdy, Jr., and numerous other family members, friends, fellow law-enforcement officers, and generations of people who had the opportunity to enjoy a conversation or exchange a friendly greeting with him outside Post 1; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Master Officer Woodrow W. Dowdy III, a respected member of the Division of Capitol Police; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Master Officer Woodrow W. Dowdy III as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.