Superintendent William Francis Corvello

Colonel William Corvello graduated from Dartmouth High School in Massachusetts and enlisted in the Marine Corps February 1951. Following basic training and advanced infantry training shipped to Korea September 1951; assigned to lst Marine Division, 7th Marine Regiment and participated in action against North Korean/Chinese forces on East Central and western fronts; succeeding promotions to corporal and sergeant while in country. Returned to the United States in November 1952 and assigned to G-2 (intelligence section), Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Naval Operating Base, Norfolk.

Following discharge from the Marine Corps in 1954, employed with Virginia State Police as Probationary Trooper August, 1955 and assigned to Area 6, Chesterfield County for field training under Trooper E. A. Austin. Entered State Police Academy January 1956 as member of 28thbasic session; Lieutenant F.A. Bradley Academy Director, Sergeants D. R. Haskett and M. H. Kent, instructors.

Graduated from the State Police Academy in March 1956, Trooper P. C. Hollandsworth, class President, and assigned to Windsor, Isle of Wight County with Trooper L. L. Marshall as members of Area 29 headquartered in Nansemond County (now Suffolk). Trooper B. G. Bell, also of this graduating class was assigned to Franklin.

As a trooper, underwent subsequent transfers first to James City/York County, Area 37 Williamsburg in October, 1957 and then to Norfolk County (now Chesapeake), Area 32 Norfolk in December 1958. Promoted to Sergeant March 1962 and assigned to Area 3, West Point as Area Sergeant to succeed C. E. Nichols who was promoted to Field Lieutenant, 2nd Division Culpeper.

December 1962 transferred to Area 6 Chesterfield County as Area Sergeant to succeed W. B. Moncure who was transferred to SPHQ as Headquarters Sergeant. April 1965 transferred to 5thDivision, Chesapeake as Headquarter Sergeant to replace Sergeant J. D. Rush who retired; Captain R. M. Terry, Division Commander, J. M. Booher, Headquarters Lieutenant and S. C. Waddill, Field Lieutenant.

From 1966 to 1968, enrolled at Old Dominion University in classes on Criminal Justice, Political Science and Government and selected for the Honors Program for academic excellence in the Evening College of ODU. January 1968 transferred to Area 37, Williamsburg as Area Sergeant to replace Sergeant E. F. Loomis who transferred to 4th Division, Wytheville.

Assisted by Trooper J. K. Adams, investigated the death of Trooper Donald E. Lovelace, who was assigned to Area 37 and killed during a traffic stop on US Route 17 near Grafton in York County on October 18, 1970. Trooper Lovelace had been a recent graduate of the State Police Academy and left a wife and two small children. In 1970 he became a rated pilot and was approved in check ride by Trooper James A. Nichols to operate the fixed wing aircraft that was assigned to 5thDivision prior to establishment of a Department Aviation unit.

In October 1971, promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to 3rdDivision, Appomattox as Field Lieutenant replacing Lieutenant L. E. Thomas who retired; Captain C. L. Wilson, Division Commander and E. C. Riner, Headquarters Lieutenant. In 1973 he was approved for part-time employment with Cardinal Air of Lynchburg as a flight instructor, fixed wing aircraft.

June 1974 to September 1974 attended/graduated 98thSession, FBI National Academy.  July 1974 promoted to Captain, assigned initially to SPHQ as Commander,
Records and Statistics Division, a newly established position then transferred in October, 1974 to 2nd Division, Culpeper as Division Commander to replace Captain W. R. Wagner, who was transferred to SPHQ. In 1974, became a member of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police(VACP). March 1977 transferred to 5th Division, Chesapeake as Division Commander to succeed Captain D. M. Slane appointed Superintendent by Governor Mills Godwin.

Notable events during tenure as 5th Division Commander:
In January 1979 beginning of extended 26 week strike by Steelworkers Union against Newport News Shipbuilding requiring 90 troopers on scene daily assisting PD Newport News during strike period that was concluded in April with minimum violence. The department was commended by Newport News City Council, shipyard officials and the press for the controlled performance of troopers and supervisors in their response to recurring incidents of provocation by strikers. No civil suits were registered against the department or any of its members in connection with the strike, a notable fact.

The nation’s Bicentennial celebration encompassing Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown took place over several weeks in the summer and fall of 1981 and required the largest contingent of VSP personnel (422 troopers, supervisors and special agents) for security, traffic and access control for any event up to that time. The many notables attending included President Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Vice President, and Governor John Dalton . Organizational planning for the overall event in 5thDivision extended over a number of months and was coordinated by First Sergeants J.W. Petefish and H.B. Bridges, Lieutenant W. T. Holloway overseeing.

In May 1983, The Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations involving the leaders and heads of state of eight nations including President Ronald Reagan of the United States met in Williamsburg for a three day conference on world economic affairs. This required the participation of over 300 troopers and support personnel to assist federal and local officials with providing security for the event which was concluded without major incident.

December 1984 promoted to Major by Colonel R. L. Suthard, Superintendent and assigned to SPHQ as Staff Administrator overseeing the Executive Protective Unit, Aviation Unit, and coordinating planning and reorganization.

During this tenure the department applied to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for National accreditation. Captain Paul C. Hollandsworth, assisted by Sgt. S. C. Rasnick coordinated the overall task and accreditation was awarded in 1986, the second state police agency in the nation to be so recognized. At the direction of Colonel Suthard, extensive study was undertaken on planning and reorganization of the department during this tenure.
July 1985 promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Deputy Superintendent by Colonel Suthard to succeed Lieutenant Colonel J. S. Pearson who retired.

Member of the Board, Virginia Special Olympics. Member of International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Graduate of Virginia Executive Institute in 1986. Appointed Superintendent March 1990 by Governor Douglas Wilder to succeed Colonel Suthard who was appointed Secretary of Public Safety.

Owing to pronounced budget reductions affecting all state agencies which occurred during this tenure, it became necessary to conduct a department wide review of all operational and administrative elements and prioritizing to ensure the effective continuation of essential public safety services. Budget reductions totaled approximately $11 million during this tenure. All agency bureaus performed commendably in meeting revised objectives which were the consequences of these reductions. Particularly notable during this entire process was the excellent guidance and vision of Doug Dix of the department’s office of finance.

Retired August, 1992 on the anniversary of employment as Trooper August, 1955 representing 37 years’ service to Virginia. In 1994, called by the City of Newport News to serve as Chief of Police following the murders of two police officers and an attendant investigation of the circumstances which recommended major changes in the agency. Following reorganization of the Newport News Police Department returned to retirement in 1997 and enrolled as a student at College of William and Mary.

Graduated class of 2001, College of William and Mary with Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies and minor in History. In 2003 and 2008, called to serve as Interim Chief of Police for the City of Portsmouth during its searches for a permanent chief, returning to retirement following appointment of the new chief in each instance.
Wife Cheryl Carawan Corvello, four children, Donna M., Amy C. McGinley (Sean), Christopher A., Russell W. deceased, and six grandchildren. Current residence – The Chamberlin, Fort Monroe.