By Ashley McLeod, Staff writer
Apr 21, 2016, 13:20
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Following a long career in law enforcement and community involvement, Colonial Heights resident James Alton Pond died on Sunday at the age of 77.
Pond served as the second Colonial Heights sheriff, a position he held for 18 years.
A graduate of Petersburg High School, Pond began his service days in the United States Air Force. According to his obituary, after his service in the Air Force was complete, he returned to Colonial Heights and began work as a dispatcher at the Colonial Heights Police Department, spending 18 years working his way up through the ranks to become a Detective Sergeant and serving on the Tri-City Are Drug Task Force.
Pond ran for Colonial Heights Sheriff in 1977 and took office in 1978. He retired from the position in 1996.
Pond received many awards during his life. In January 1966 Pond was named Outstanding Young Man of the Year, and was honored by the Colonial Heights Jaycees be receiving the Distinguished Service Award. In 1970, Pond received the Law and Order Medal, a national award given by the Military Order of the Stars and Bars. The award was first given the year before to J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI.
Pond was named Outstanding Kiwanian of the Year for 1979-1980 and was president of the Colonial Heights Kiwanis Club in 1981-1982.
Pond is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jeanie C. Pond, a son, Jeffrey C. Pond, and two granddaughters.
A funeral will be held at Second Baptist Church at 2 p.m., followed by internment in Blandford Cemetery. Funeral services were handled by E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory.
