HAMPTON — Sheriff Billy Joe “B.J.” Roberts, 70, peacefully departed this life Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Viola Roberts; and sister, Nora Barnwell.
A native of South Carolina, Sheriff Roberts was educated in Hampton and earned his high school diploma from Phenix High School. During his high school years, he played football and basketball, and later earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Hampton University. He completed the Northwestern University Public Safety Management School in Illinois, the National Sheriffs’ Institute (NSI) program in Colorado, the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute Chief Executive Training Program and Civic Leadership Institute.
In 1971, Sheriff Roberts began his law enforcement career as a patrolman on the Newport News Police Force and later began his 19-year career with Hampton University Campus Police, where he moved through the ranks to become the director of Police and Public Safety at the university.
Sheriff Roberts was first elected in 1992 and was re-elected to serve six terms. He was sworn in as the 69th president of the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA). Roberts’ swearing in as president of NSA marked the first and only African-American in the 70-year history of the organization to preside over its 18,990 members. He was the 43rd president of the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, as well as serving as the president of the Virginia Campus Police Association, the chairman of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail Authority and the president of the Virginia College Campus Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Association.
As a community leader, he devoted his time and efforts to the City of Hampton Athletic Association. Working with the community’s youth, he received numerous honors and awards in recognition of his work including: The City of Hampton Citizen of the Year, Role Model of the Year from the 100 Black Men Organization, Public Service Award of the Year from CHUMS Inc., and he was inducted to the Police Hall of Fame.
Sheriff Roberts was a member of Queen Street Baptist Church, Hampton, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He was a lifetime member of the Hampton Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Additionally, he was a member of the Wythe Exchange Club of America, The Salvation Army (Peninsula Command), the Hampton Roads Chapter of Boys and Girls Club of America and Alternatives Inc. Through the years, Sheriff Roberts was very active with his golfing friends, as he enjoyed the game of golf.
He leaves to cherish many memories his sister, Annie Montgomery; brother, Earnest Roberts (special friend, Evelyn Anderson); two nephews, Gregory Montgomery and Wendell Barnwell (Levia Barnwell); and a host of relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank the men and women of the Hampton Sheriff’s Office for their unwavering dedication and support.
Viewing will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 2. To view livestreaming of the service, visit cookebros.com or their Facebook business page, Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Entombment will be held in Hampton Memorial Gardens.
Share online condolences with the family at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel & Crematory.
