BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s longest serving active sheriff has died. Upshur County Sheriff Virgil Miller died Monday night suddenly and unexpectedly following a brief illness.
“He had a little bout of sickness, but it got cleared up. Then it came back on him pretty fast and within a couple of weeks is where we’re at here today,” said Miller’s longtime Chief Deputy Mike Coffman.
Miller was in his 5th term as the Upshur County Sheriff. He came to Buckhannon in the late 1970’s from Webster County where he had been on the Webster Springs Police Department before he was hired as an Upshur County deputy. He was first elected Sheriff in the 1990’s and on two occasions was twice elected and then reelected to his post before having to sit out a term. State law forbids a sheriff from serving more than two consecutive terms.
During those off terms he served in other law enforcement capacities He was the Buckhannon Police Chief, an Upshur County Magistrate, and worked as a special assistant for a period of time with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department.
Miller’s status as a lawman was legendary. Coffman had known Miller his entire life.
“Sheriff Miller didn’t know a stranger, whether he was in West Virginia or out of West Virginia. He was just a great guy and he was a great sheriff,” he said.
When Miller was elected to his 5th term he was recognized by the West Virginia Sheriff’s Association for his long time service.
“He has the distinction as the longest serving active sheriff in the state of West Virginia. He’s a longtime law man and well respected law man,” said Rodney Miller, President of the Association and the former Boone County Sheriff.
“He loved every day of it. He was always available in the evening and always knew what was going on. I never saw somebody with such a passion for the job and he was a great mentor to younger officers and myself,” said Coffman. “It’s a void that will be extremely difficult to fill.”
Funeral arrangements for Miller have not been announced.