George Bailey, former Albemarle County sheriff, died January 4 at the age of 80, The Daily Progress reports today. He shared both the name of the It’s a Wonderful Life lead character as well as the local notoriety—the DP writes that “just about everybody” knew him. Bailey was sheriff from 1970 to 1987 and served concurrently as the first Albemarle County Police chief in 1984. He stayed up on politics right to the end. “Even at 80 years old, he still had valuable insight,” says Chip Harding, newly elected county sheriff. “There was never a dull moment with George. He was a character.”
Previous "This Just In" articles from this week:
Goode? Well, they’re grrreat! [January 5]
Democratic candidates take on Goode
Cavaliers dropped by Musketeers [January 4]
UVA basketball flounders in Cincinatti
Singing in the rain [January 3]
Local Drought Warning lifted
Last-second field goal beats UVA in Gator Bowl [January 2]
Cavs fall to Texas Tech
Kaine stumps for Obama [January 1]
Joins the presidential candidate in Iowa