NK law enforcement annex dedicated in sheriff’s honor

New Kent Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. knew that moving into the county’s new $3.2 million, 13,600 square foot sheriff’s annex building would relieve overcrowding his department has experienced in recent years inside their cramped courthouse quarters. But little did he know that the building would bear his name.

The F.W. Howard Jr. Law Enforcement Office Building officially opened its doors to the public during a June 18 dedication ceremony. Howard had planned only on thanking local officials and introducing the event’s featured speaker, state Secretary of Public Safety John Marshall, during the event. But county officials had worked behind the scenes to have a plaque inscribed with the building’s name ready for the part in the event’s program simply labeled “Dedication.”

Tears welled up in Howard’s eyes as Board of Supervisors chairman Jimmy Burrell announced the building’s name and unveiled the plaque before a crowd of about 200.

“I almost lost it,” Howard said afterward. “I lost my train of thought. It’s unbelievable, and it’s amazing my people kept this quiet.

“I am just absolutely overwhelmed,” he said. “I don’t feel worthy of it and I don’t feel deserving of it, but I’m extremely appreciative. It’s the greatest and highest honor I’ve ever had except when my two children were born.”

Burrell and other speakers praised Howard, who has served as New Kent’s sheriff since 1980. The sheriff’s popularity has remained at a lofty peak as he has run unopposed for reelection every four years since he first won the post in the 1979 election.

“It is truly fitting that this building in named after Sheriff Howard who is truly committed to the citizens of New Kent County,” Marshall said in his keynote speech.

Marshall noted that the dedication ceremony marked a day long awaited by both sheriff’s and emergency personnel and county residents. The new building will serve county citizens for many years to come, he said.

“We have many missions in public safety, but what public safety is all about is saving lives, and without a doubt this new facility will help the sheriff’s department carry out its work as efficiently as possible,” Marshall told the crowd.

He expressed gratitude for emergency workers, urging all in the audience to do likewise.

“When you see a policeman or fireman, take a few minutes to say two simple but very powerful words that mean so much to them — thank you,” he said. “With this building, New Kent County and county officials have said loud and clear in one loud voice: you are important, and they don’t take for granted what you do.”

County general services director Jim Tacosa, who oversaw the project, detailed the process that led to the building’s construction, starting with many months ago when he received a phone call from Howard who wanted to discuss prospects for a new sheriff’s office.

“Over the next few days, we drew a lot of pencil sketches,” Tacosa told the crowd. “What you see here today is a result of all those sketches.

“It took a lot of people to do this building, and it all started with the leadership of Wakie and [Chief Deputy] Joe [McLaughlin],” he added. “They had a very clear idea of what they wanted.”

What resulted is the Howard building along with a separate 1,650 square foot impound building and adjacent 10,000 square foot fenced in impound lot, all on just under 2 acres. Inside the main administration building are a state-of-the-art 911 dispatch center, an emergency operations and training center, and 24 administrative offices.

The annex arose in less than 12 months and came in under budget. The energy efficient building also boasts “flexible construction,” Tacosa said, meaning expansion capabilities.

“The foresight in design was so we could take this facility 20 years into the future,” he said, adding expansion can be accomplished easily and at minimal cost.

“I feel sort of humbled and honored to work on a building like this, especially for the men and women who’ll serve for years to come,” he said.

County Administrator John Budesky acknowledged the new building’s opening as “a culmination of effort by a great deal of individuals,” adding the project proved to be a labor of love for Tacosa.

“The sheriff’s department can now serve the public in a safe environment,” Budesky told the crowd. “This fills Wakie’s dream and passion to provide a safe facility for the community.”

In his remarks, Howard said, “I’m so proud and grateful for this facility and the hard work put into it by so many people.”

He thanked county supervisors for having the vision to build a facility that will serve future needs and Budesky for his leadership “for without his hard work, we would not be here today.”

He also praised Tacosa for pouring “his heart and soul” into the project, and thanked other county officials along with the builders, Harlan Construction.

“Mostly, I want to thank Chief Deputy Joe McLaughlin who served as point man with Harlan Construction,” Howard said. “Joe always gives 110 percent and he did so into this building.

“Finally, I want to thank my people for sticking with us,” he said, pointing to the old quarters where three ranking officers shared a single 8×10-foot office and one phone, where dispatchers worked around the clock with no air-conditioning when Hurricane Isabel struck in 2003, and where deputies had to guard prisoners in hallways when the office’s three holding cells were filled.

“These things,” he said, “make us truly appreciate the facility we have now.”