Longtime Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts dies at home

Hampton — Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts, who planned to retire in January, died peacefully at home on Saturday morning after celebrating Christmas with his family, the sheriff’s department said.

Roberts, 70, will be remembered as Virginia’s longest-serving sheriff and as the first African American to serve as president of the National Sheriffs Association.

Mayor Donnie Tuck said he was shocked, and isn’t sure what caused Roberts’ death.

“He always had a presence in the community,” Tuck said. “There is going to be a big hole in Hampton that will be difficult to fill.”

[ Hampton sheriff, the longest-serving in Virginia, not likely to run for reelection ]

In the 1990s, Roberts helped improve the city’s jail, which was overcrowded and under scrutiny by federal authorities. Tuck said Roberts was passionate about improving health care and conditions for inmates, as well as preparing them to return to the community upon release.

“He took a jail that had great deficiencies and turned it around,” Tuck said.

Roberts’ family moved from Mullins, South Carolina, to the Peninsula during the 1950s when America was racially segregated. Roberts attended the Thomas Nelson Regional Police Academy in 1972 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Hampton University in 1986, according to the city’s website. He started his career as a patrolman for Newport News Police Department, then went on to work for Hampton University’s Campus Police Department for 19 years. In 1992, he was elected sheriff and became the first African American to become a constitutional officer in Hampton.

“Sheriff Roberts was committed to making our criminal justice system fairer and improving police-community relations,” U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott said in a statement. “His passing is a tremendous loss for Hampton and the entire Commonwealth.”

Calvin Pearson, a longtime friend, recalled that Roberts had wanted to work in law enforcement since he was in elementary school — when he enjoyed serving on the safety patrol. Even thought Roberts was a public figure, he led a private life, so his death was a surprise to Pearson.

“He had become a well respected sheriff on the local state and national level,” Pearson said. “His loss will greatly be felt as Hampton losses another cherished leader who fought for human rights in the penal system.”

Roberts planned to retire about 10 months before his term was to expire next November. State law allows cities to hold a special election or allow the highest ranking deputy to take over if the vacancy is within one year before the end of the term. Earlier this month, the council unanimously voted to petition the court to forgo a special election. Tuck said the council will consult with the city attorney to determine a path forward.

Blair Young, the funeral director for The Cooke Brothers Funeral Chapel, said Roberts’ body has been received but no funeral arrangements have been made yet. His family could not be reached for comment.

Alissa Skelton, 757-995-9043, alissa.skelton@pilotonline.com.

Staff writer Lisa Vernon Sparks contributed to this story.