West Virginia Sheriffs' Association

05/25/2026

05/06/2026

Sheriffs sought HB 4402 (which did not pass) this legislative session to work toward employing sheriffs' law enforcement personnel, with law enforcement authority, for school safety across WV. This is an example of why.

School was placed on lockdown, students eventually released early after larger than normal police response.

04/19/2026

Please see the below obituary information for Sheriff Marano

Sheriff Albert F. Marano, Jr.

Albert Frank Marano, Jr, 64, of Quiet Dell, WV, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with his family by his side, at the United Hospital Center, following a courageous battle with colorectal cancer.

He was born in Clarksburg on November 13, 1961, the son of the late Albert Frank, Sr. and Arphena Casalinuova Marano.

Albert married his wife of 33 years, Kelly McVitty Marano, on October 10, 1992. She resides at their home in Quiet Dell.

Also surviving Albert are two daughters, Gina Marano of Pittsburgh, PA and Sara Marano and fiancé Nathan Mullins of Morgantown; father-in-law, Donald McVitty and wife Marcheta; mother-in-law, Alice Gabriella; two brothers-in-law, Shannon and Bryan McVitty; sister-in-law, Debbie Canning; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Albert was a 1980 graduate of Notre Dame High School and held a bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State University.

Mr. Marano spent more than 30 years in law enforcement. During his tenure, Albert served as Deputy Sheriff, Chief Deputy, and lastly held two terms as the Sheriff of Harrison County, 2008 through 2016, where he was loved by, and cherished, the community he represented. As Sheriff, he sat on the West Virgina Sheriffs Association Board of Directors. Most recently, Albert held the position of Harrison County Circuit Clerk, from 2016, up until his passing.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison St, Nutter Fort on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, where a prayer vigil will be held at 7:30 pm to conclude the gathering.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 10:00 am, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 126 E. Pike St, Clarksburg, with Father Casey Mahone presiding. Interment will follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

https://amoscarvelli.com/funerals/obituaries/albert-frank-marano-jr/2435/

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.

Albert Frank Marano, Jr, 64, of Quiet Dell, WV, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with his family by his side, at the United Hospital Center, following a courageous battle with colorectal cance

04/17/2026

It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of former Harrison County Sheriff Albert Marano. Those of you at the Christmas Meeting and Lunch may remember him where he was in attendance and spoke to the group. He was currently serving as Harrison County Circuit Clerk, since leaving as Sheriff.

Prior to his election as circuit clerk in 2016, Marano spent more than 30 years in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff, chief deputy, and served two terms as Harrison County sheriff. He was a lifelong resident of the Clarksburg community, and was first elected as sheriff 2008 and again in 2012.

Sheriff Marano served on the WVSA Board of Directors for several years.

He passed away yesterday evening after apparently battling cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kelly, and their two daughters, Sara and Gina.

Please keep Sheriff Marano's family and extended family in our prayers. Arrangements are pending at this time.

01/30/2026

Thank you, fellow West Virginians! You make us proud! Weather changed shipping and destination schedules but this morning, the Flag Sojourn 250 is officially enroute to its next stop in California.

01/28/2026

Today we were honored to present he America 250th Flag Sojourn in the WV House of Delegates. The flag is traveling around the world. Prior to today, it has visited every U.S. cemetery overseas, every U.S. territory, and every state in our great nation.
Already, the flag has traveled to all twenty-six overseas cemeteries and 22 STATES to date, uniting Americans everywhere. Today was West Virginia’s turn and the WV Sheriffs' Association was selected to host the flag for West Virginia. We appreciate those able to attend and join us from Sheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs, WV State Police and WV Troopers Association and well as the Sons of the American Revolution, WV Society Color Guard. Thank you, Speaker Roger Hanshaw and House Clerk Jeff Pack, for the use of the Chamber and joining us. A special thank you to the National Flag Foundation, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the American Battle Monuments Commission, and America 250 to endowing us with this great honor on behalf of the State of West Virginia!

01/17/2026

Former Boone County Sheriff Jennings P. Miller passed away on January 15, 2026. Sheriff Miller was active with the WVSA duringhis two terms of service between 1989-1996. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. After his sheriff service, he served multiple terms as the Assessor of Boone County.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AAVCSBKC1/?mibextid=wwXIfra

Jennings P. Miller, age 84, passed away from this earthly life to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday Jan 15, 2026. Jennings was a resident of Madison, WV. He was born on January 19, 1941.

Jennings was a 1960 graduate of Scott High School and attended two years at Marshall University. He served in the United States Army from 1963-1965. He began work with Armco Steel then for 17.5 years was a salesman for Carmet Mine Tools. In 1988 he was elected Sheriff of Boone Co, serving two terms from 1988-1996. During his time as Sheriff, he started Boone Co very first D.A.R.E. Program, Special Olympics and the Neighborhood Crime Watch. In 1997 he was then elected as Boone Co. Assessor where he worked until he retired on December 31, 2016. During his time as Assessor, he served as the President of the WV Assessor’s Association and was named West Virginia’s Democrat of the year in 2003. He was a member of the Madison Masonic Blue Lodge, 32nd Degree Mason Shriner and Order of Jesters and a long-time member of Madison United Methodist Church. In Jenning’s spare time he loved gardening, canning and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Sadie Miller, stepmother Virginia Miller, sister Jeanette Hodges (David), brother Leland Miller, brother Earl JR Miller (Carter), brother Harry Lee Miller, niece and nephews Veronica Miller, HL Miller and Pat Miller.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary “Ruth” Miller, son Jeff Honeycutt (Tara), son Leland Miller, grandchildren Nevin (Megan) Honeycutt, Chad Honeycutt, Ryan Honeycutt, Makenzie White, Katelyn Miller, Kaden Miller and Gavin Miller, great grandsons, Wylder and Rader Honeycutt, sister-in-law, Laverne Miller and brother-in-law, Jim (Pat) Castle and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends.

The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00pm, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home located in Alum Creek, WV.

The family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to Dignity Hospice Care of Chapmanville, WV.

In-Lieu of flowers, friend and family can make charitable contributions on behalf of Jennings P. Miller to Dignity Hospice Care at P.O. Box 4304, Chapmanville, WV 25508. A graveside service will be held in the spring for family and close friends.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas West Virginia!

12/13/2025

The first of more to come. A couple of years ago, the WVSA embarked on a new joint venture partnering with the University of Charleston, School of Leadership to bring authentic leadership training to those in the law enforcement and policing profession in West Virginia. It began with one- and two-day in-service classes, grew into a certificate program, and today we saw the first graduate of what developed into the criminal justice leadership bachelor's degree. Congratulations to Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, Lieutenant William Christian for becoming a new authentic leader in our profession. Well done Lt.! We expect to see many more as we move forward from Sheriffs, deputies, city police, troopers, corrections, and others in the public safety field. It's too good to keep quiet and not share with our colleagues.

11/18/2025

Early this morning Summers County Chief Deputy Tim Adkins awakened to a horrific scene as he, his wife and two young children safely made it out of their burning home. The home is a total loss. Please consider helping one of those helpers who has dedicated their life to the protection of others and is now in need himself. Please see the following GoFundMe link below.

My son, a beloved Sheriff’s Chief Deputy who has dedicated his career to serving … Cindy Adkins needs your support for Support Chief Deputy Tim Adkins’ family