Retired chief lauds city prosecutor

On Dec. 31, William H. Fuller III will retire as Danville’s commonwealth’s attorney, an office he has held since 1970.

I have had the privilege of working with Bill Fuller since the mid-1960s, when he began work as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney. From his first day in office, he had enthusiasm and zeal for finding the truth, an attribute which after more than 40 years of trials and many adverse situations still burns within him. Of all the people I have encountered in my 44 years in law enforcement, I have not seen another elected or appointed official that had the dedication and devotion to the people they served as he has demonstrated.

I cannot recall a time when we called him — whether it be the middle of the night, weekend or holiday — that he did not respond to a crime scene, render his opinion on a matter or be available for whatever reason the police department might need him.

His response to crime scenes and work with investigating officers and detectives had multiple benefits. First, it allowed the prosecutor to be involved in the case from the beginning so he would not have to just get the facts from cold print on a piece of paper. It allowed him to have a “feel” for the case. This better prepared him for trial and, second, he got the information directly from the officers or detectives, not second or third hand. It also was beneficial for the police department because when police personnel worked with him, it was better than any training school we could have them attend. During my administration, we allowed the commonwealth’s attorney access to investigating officers instead of going through supervisors to pass on information or needed facts. If there were unanswered questions or witnesses that needed interviewing, and in some cases re-interviewing, he could get that done.

He always went to court prepared and very seldom, if ever, was he surprised by anything that came up because of his preparation and work with the officers. I was more than happy to see the commonwealth’s attorney work with the officers in this fashion, not only because it made the officers better investigators but it continued the officers’ ownership of the case through trial.

Bill Fuller was at his best in courtroom situations. His cross examination of witnesses and defendants was outstanding, and his closing arguments better than anything you will find on a television program. All this came about because of his thorough knowledge of the case at hand and being well versed on statutory and case law. He is considered one of the most knowledgeable, if not the most knowledgeable, authority on capital murder trials in Virginia. I know he has been consulted many times by other prosecutors who were preparing to try that type of case for his input. He has prepared a guide on this very important issue for commonwealth’s attorneys in Virginia for guidance during trials. His reputation as a tough prosecutor is widely known, but that tough demeanor is matched by his compassion for victims and their families as evidenced by the enormous amount of time spent with them giving them aid and comfort as he prepared them for trial. During his administration he implemented the victim/witness program to assist those victims in recovering a portion of financial losses and medical expenses.

I write this letter to express my sincere appreciation to Bill Fuller for his years of devotion and dedication to the duties of his office, his cooperation with the Danville Police Department while I was police chief and for never losing sight of the fact he was a public servant, a fact many elected and appointed officials forget. Danville is a safer and better place because of this dedicated official.

I am going to miss him as commonwealth’s attorney and the vast majority of Danville’s citizens will as well. We spent many hours planning what might be the best strategy during an investigation or trial.

Thank you for your years of service and I wish for you good health and a peaceful, relaxing and well-deserved retirement that lasts for many years.

* Morris, a resident of Danville, is former chief of the Danville Police Department.