Obituary

Sheriff Dennis S. Proffitt, Sr. (Retired), 72, of Chesterfield, departed this life on May 17, 2022. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Becky T. Dickson; parents Stewart and Edna Proffitt. He is survived by his son, Dennis S. Proffitt, Jr (Misty), daughter Rhonda Proffitt-Eckel (Michael); step-daughter, Sarah Dickson; sister, Sherran Andrews; grandchildren; Connor Youngblood, Kiley Proffitt, Ethan and Morgan Stoddard, Kilby and Gage Proffitt; his four legged faithful companion, Justice; and along with his brothers and sisters in blue. Dennis joined the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office in 1997, he was promoted to undersheriff in 1999 and elected sheriff in 2007 after the retirement of long time Sheriff, Clarence Williams.  Dennis served selflessly in that position until his retirement in 2014. Before joining the Sheriff’s Office Dennis began his career as a dispatcher with Henrico County and then join the Chesterfield County Police Department in 1975 where he was quickly promoted to detective in the vice and narcotics unit serving as the first undercover officer in the history of the department earning him the “Police Officer of the Year” in 1979.  He was one of the first members of the department’s newly created SWAT team.  In the following years he would be promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, inspector in charge of special investigations in 1996, and captain in charge of criminal investigations in 1997.  “His legacy is forever etched into the fiber of these organizations”.  Dennis loved to hunt, fish, ride motorcycles, and share life with his family and friends. A Celebration of Dennis’s life and tribute to his law enforcement career will be held 6 pm on Thursday June 16, 2022, at the Southside Church of the Nazarene 6851 Courthouse Rd. Chesterfield, VA 23832. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to Goochland Pet Lovers, P.O. Box 27, Oilville, VA 23129 or the Chesterfield Police K9 Association P.O. Box 411 Chesterfield, VA 23832.