Powell, Roger, 1906-2001

Roger Franklin Powell was born 5 Nov. 1906 to George Powell (12 Dec. 1868-15 Feb. 1947) and Maud May Ellmore Powell (3 Sept. 1879-24 Jan. 1945) of Broad Run, Va. Although he had little in the way of formal education he had a lifelong interest in history and genealogy, especially of Loudoun County, and became the premier historian of old lower Loudoun County. Powell served in the Army during World War II, enlisting on 7 July 1942 for the duration of the war. Prior to his enlistment he worked for law enforcement in the county and this carried over into his military service as a military policeman. Powell worked as a deputy sheriff for Loudoun County from 1949 to mid-1951. In Aug. 1951, Powell won the Democratic Party's nomination for sheriff against opponents Walton R. Saffer and John Heflin. Powell prevailed in the general election and took up the position on 1 Jan. 1952. He served as sheriff until 31 Dec. 1959. Roger Powell died 1 July 2001 at the age of ninety-five.

Law enforcement officer and historian, of Loudoun County, Va.

On 5 July 1948 S. Paul Alexander (1897-1983), sheriff of Loudoun County, Va., presented the county Board of Supervisors with an estimate for General Electric radio equipment for both headquarters and squad cars. A 60 watt deluxe unit with additional receiver for tie-in with Arlington County was to be installed into headquarters for $1800. Three squad cars for the department were to be equipped with mobile units at $572 each; the total cost for the entire department would total $3516. However, it was not until 6 Mar. 1950 that the Board of Supervisors approved $1500 for radio equipment for the sheriff's office. On 1 Jan. 1952 Roger F. Powell (1906-2001) became sheriff of Loudoun County. He had served as deputy sheriff from 1949 to 1951. On the morning of 4 Aug. 1952 Powell appeared before the Board of Supervisors and presented information on a radio communication system for the sheriff's office. He stated he had $2000 available from private funds to pay for the system. Although not disclosed initially, the funds were provided by Arthur Godfrey (1903-1983). This new communication system would tie all emergency units--sheriff, fire department, rescue squad ambulance and game warden--together. During the afternoon session, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to allow the sheriff to have a steel radio tower constructed in the jail yard, subject to approval of the town of Leesburg.