AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – Amherst County Sheriff E.W. Viar, Jr. is hanging up his hat after being a public servant for almost four decades.
The announcement came in a thorough letter posted to the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page, detailing his time in law enforcement as well as his unwavering commitment to bettering his community.
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He has served as the Sheriff of Amherst County for eight years but said now it’s time to enjoy life and make lasting memories doing what he loves most: spending time with family.
“Most of you know that I had Colon Cancer years ago and thankfully God healed me and I am Cancer free,” he said in the letter. “Life is precious and I want to enjoy my family and friends with the additional time God has blessed me with. After 40 years, now is the time!”
During his time as a sheriff, he’s worked to create equal pay for deputies, expand the K-9 program, employ drone technology and help the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office become an accredited agency, all accomplishments he says wouldn’t have been possible without the outpouring of community support.
“This was done by hard work and dedication that could only be achieved through the dedication and discipline of each and every one of you,” he said. “For that, I am grateful and each of you should hold your heads high and say, I helped do this.”
Viar said he won’t be seeking reelection and gave nothing but positive remarks about Major Eric Elliott, the next Sheriff of Amherst County.
“I am giving my full endorsement to Major Eric Elliott to be the next Sheriff of Amherst County. I know in my heart that he is more than qualified for this position and know that he will be able to do a great job for not only this office but for the citizens of this county. I ask that each of you support Eric in his run for Sheriff! Eric’s hard work ethic, knowledge, integrity, compassion, years of service, and his conservative values will make him a great Sheriff!
He concluded the letter with a warm thank you to retired Major Roy Wainwright and Sheriff Lawrence Simpson for giving him the opportunity to become a deputy.
You can read the letter in its entirety below:
From the desk of the Sheriff: Ladies and Gentlemen, My career in Law Enforcement has been a journey of public...
Posted by Amherst County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, May 11, 2023