Change in command at Virginia State Police field-ops bureau

Effective Dec. 25, Virginia State Police Maj. George L. Daniels Jr., was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and appointed bureau director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Field Operations.

Daniels takes the place of retiring Lt. Col. Eugene A. Stockton, who has served as the BFO bureau director for the past decade.

Daniels, a Charlotte County, Va., native, joined the Virginia State Police in 1973. Upon graduation from the State Police Academy, his first patrol assignment as a trooper was South Hill. As he progressed through the ranks, Daniels was assigned to the Appomattox BFO Division Headquarters in Appomattox, the Lynchburg Area Office, the Vansant Area Office, and Charlottesville Area Office.

In 1993, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the Personnel Division and then transferred to the Training Division to serve as second in command of the Academy. In 2000, he achieved the rank of captain and served as the division commander for the Criminal Intelligence Division in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). As captain, he also served at the Chesapeake BFO Division Headquarters and later as the promotional administrator in the department’s Bureau of Administrative and Support Services (BASS). Daniels was promoted to major in 2005 with his appointment to the position of BFO deputy director.

Daniels, 62, is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, having earned a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration. He is also a graduate of the Police Administration Training Program at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., the Commonwealth Management Institute (CMI) and the Virginia Executive Institute (VEI).  He has also received more than 45 commendations and recognitions during his tenure with state police to include the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award, the American Legion Citation of Meritorious Service, and a Virginia State Police Superintendent’s Award of Merit.

“Lt. Col. Daniels’ impeccable background, 40 years of invaluable experience and service to the Commonwealth, and extraordinary dedication to his mission as a state police employee make him more than qualified and deserving of this appointment,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “We also extend our sincere appreciation to Lt. Col. Stockton for his 37 years with the department, and commend him for his esteemed leadership and accomplishments achieved during the course of his state police and military careers.”

Retiring Jan. 1, 2014, Lt. Col. Stockton, 64, concludes a distinguished career of accommodations and firsts. Stockton joined the Virginia State Police in 1975. During his 37 years with the department, he has served in many capacities including training officer at the Academy and director of the Professional Standards Unit (PSU).

Over the years, he was also assigned to the Department’s Recruitment Unit and served as first sergeant of the Buckingham Area Office. His first patrol assignment as a trooper was in Richmond. With Stockton’s appointment to lieutenant colonel in 2003, he became the department’s first African-American to achieve the executive-level rank. He also became state police’s first African-American division commander when appointed in 2000 to the rank of captain of the PSU.

Stockton has associate’s degrees from John Tyler Community College and St. Leo’s University. He also graduated St. Leo’s University with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and VCU with a master’s degree in administration of justice. In addition to his years of service with state police, the Fluvanna County resident is retired from the Virginia Army National Guard as a brigadier general. He served for seven years with the U.S. Marine Corps, including a combat tour in Vietnam.

The BFO director oversees the majority of the department’s uniformed personnel and is responsible for 1,786 sworn and civilian employees. Troopers under the director’s command are responsible for patrolling over 64,000 miles of state roadways and interstate highways. In coordination with the BFO division xommanders and other law enforcement agencies, the director is responsible for all aspects of highway safety, traffic law enforcement, aviation support, emergency medical evacuation, crime prevention, uniform law enforcement support to local agencies, and coordination of law enforcement in civil disturbances and disasters.