WILIAM L. DURRER "Bill" Was born in Fairfax County, Virginia October. 17, 1923, son of the late Elizabeth Thomas and Haywood J. Durrer. He attended Mount Vernon High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in November 1942, serving in England and Germany before his discharge in January 1946.
Following in the footsteps of his father, he joined the Fairfax County Police Department in 1947. William L. Durrer served Fairfax County as a law enforcement officer with pride, passion and integrity for 28 years. His tenure as a Patrol Sergeant at Groveton was a time he relished, and he would speak of fondly, while his tenure as Chief left a lasting legacy of accomplishments that continue to this day. Ten years later, as Fairfax County's population and economic development saw significant growth, Major Durrer (the highest rank at the time) was appointed Chief of Police. At 35 years old, he was the youngest police chief in the region.
With the county expanding so rapidly, Chief Durrer needed a new plan. Although he later claimed he "didn't have a plan" and "flew by the seat of his pants," his history of achievements tells a different story. Too numerous to list, some accomplishments included the establishment of six sub-stations; attaining his goal of having one officer for every 1,000 residents; opening a new state-of-the-art headquarters and instituting innovative technology; forming a Community Relations Division and Police Cadet Program; and formalizing and structuring the General Orders Manual to maintain consistency in operations and administration. He strategically added a local crime lab, which he would humorously speak about in terms of putting him at odds with J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI. His effort here enhanced local Police Forensic Investigative abilities and would result in the Department's present-day Crime Scene building being named after him.
The foundations he established for the Department before his retirement in 1975 after 17 years as Chief of Police continue on today in enhanced forms, and continue to serve the residents of Fairfax.
After his retirement, he and his wife Ayleen traveled extensively, including camping in Alaska and Canada. They moved to Venice, Florida in 1980 and lived there until moving to The Glebe in Daleville in January of this year. Sadly, William L. Durrer passed away on May 15, 2017, at The Glebe in Daleville, Virginia.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ayleen Mielke Durrer; two daughters, Jane (Mark) Stockwell and Dayle Dooley; three grandchildren W. Jeff (Kelley) Dooley, Emily (Geoff) Goodall and Paul R. (Maggie) Dooley, Sr.; and two great-grandsons, Coty Dooley and Paul Dooley, Jr.
He was predeceased by his sisters Betty Anne Durrer, Mary Durrer LaChaussee, Nancy Lee Durrer Griffin, Ellen Durrer Deeton and his brother, Richard Haywood Durrer.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 24 10:30 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, Rolling Road, Springfield, Virginia. Inurnment Thursday, May 25 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Fairfax County Police Honor Guard, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 24 10:30 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, Rolling Road, Springfield, Virginia. Inurnment Thursday, May 25 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Fairfax County Police Honor Guard, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Washington Post, 21 May 2017
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Loving father of Dayle and Jane.
Following in the footsteps of his father, he joined the Fairfax County Police Department in 1947. William L. Durrer served Fairfax County as a law enforcement officer with pride, passion and integrity for 28 years. His tenure as a Patrol Sergeant at Groveton was a time he relished, and he would speak of fondly, while his tenure as Chief left a lasting legacy of accomplishments that continue to this day. Ten years later, as Fairfax County's population and economic development saw significant growth, Major Durrer (the highest rank at the time) was appointed Chief of Police. At 35 years old, he was the youngest police chief in the region.
With the county expanding so rapidly, Chief Durrer needed a new plan. Although he later claimed he "didn't have a plan" and "flew by the seat of his pants," his history of achievements tells a different story. Too numerous to list, some accomplishments included the establishment of six sub-stations; attaining his goal of having one officer for every 1,000 residents; opening a new state-of-the-art headquarters and instituting innovative technology; forming a Community Relations Division and Police Cadet Program; and formalizing and structuring the General Orders Manual to maintain consistency in operations and administration. He strategically added a local crime lab, which he would humorously speak about in terms of putting him at odds with J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI. His effort here enhanced local Police Forensic Investigative abilities and would result in the Department's present-day Crime Scene building being named after him.
The foundations he established for the Department before his retirement in 1975 after 17 years as Chief of Police continue on today in enhanced forms, and continue to serve the residents of Fairfax.
After his retirement, he and his wife Ayleen traveled extensively, including camping in Alaska and Canada. They moved to Venice, Florida in 1980 and lived there until moving to The Glebe in Daleville in January of this year. Sadly, William L. Durrer passed away on May 15, 2017, at The Glebe in Daleville, Virginia.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ayleen Mielke Durrer; two daughters, Jane (Mark) Stockwell and Dayle Dooley; three grandchildren W. Jeff (Kelley) Dooley, Emily (Geoff) Goodall and Paul R. (Maggie) Dooley, Sr.; and two great-grandsons, Coty Dooley and Paul Dooley, Jr.
He was predeceased by his sisters Betty Anne Durrer, Mary Durrer LaChaussee, Nancy Lee Durrer Griffin, Ellen Durrer Deeton and his brother, Richard Haywood Durrer.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 24 10:30 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, Rolling Road, Springfield, Virginia. Inurnment Thursday, May 25 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Fairfax County Police Honor Guard, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 24 10:30 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, Rolling Road, Springfield, Virginia. Inurnment Thursday, May 25 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Fairfax County Police Honor Guard, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Washington Post, 21 May 2017
————
Loving father of Dayle and Jane.
WILIAM L. DURRER "Bill" Was born in Fairfax County, Virginia October. 17, 1923, son of the late Elizabeth Thomas and Haywood J. Durrer. He attended Mount Vernon High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in November 1942, serving in England and Germany before his discharge in January 1946.
Following in the footsteps of his father, he joined the Fairfax County Police Department in 1947. William L. Durrer served Fairfax County as a law enforcement officer with pride, passion and integrity for 28 years. His tenure as a Patrol Sergeant at Groveton was a time he relished, and he would speak of fondly, while his tenure as Chief left a lasting legacy of accomplishments that continue to this day. Ten years later, as Fairfax County's population and economic development saw significant growth, Major Durrer (the highest rank at the time) was appointed Chief of Police. At 35 years old, he was the youngest police chief in the region.
With the county expanding so rapidly, Chief Durrer needed a new plan. Although he later claimed he "didn't have a plan" and "flew by the seat of his pants," his history of achievements tells a different story. Too numerous to list, some accomplishments included the establishment of six sub-stations; attaining his goal of having one officer for every 1,000 residents; opening a new state-of-the-art headquarters and instituting innovative technology; forming a Community Relations Division and Police Cadet Program; and formalizing and structuring the General Orders Manual to maintain consistency in operations and administration. He strategically added a local crime lab, which he would humorously speak about in terms of putting him at odds with J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI. His effort here enhanced local Police Forensic Investigative abilities and would result in the Department's present-day Crime Scene building being named after him.
The foundations he established for the Department before his retirement in 1975 after 17 years as Chief of Police continue on today in enhanced forms, and continue to serve the residents of Fairfax.
After his retirement, he and his wife Ayleen traveled extensively, including camping in Alaska and Canada. They moved to Venice, Florida in 1980 and lived there until moving to The Glebe in Daleville in January of this year. Sadly, William L. Durrer passed away on May 15, 2017, at The Glebe in Daleville, Virginia.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ayleen Mielke Durrer; two daughters, Jane (Mark) Stockwell and Dayle Dooley; three grandchildren W. Jeff (Kelley) Dooley, Emily (Geoff) Goodall and Paul R. (Maggie) Dooley, Sr.; and two great-grandsons, Coty Dooley and Paul Dooley, Jr.
He was predeceased by his sisters Betty Anne Durrer, Mary Durrer LaChaussee, Nancy Lee Durrer Griffin, Ellen Durrer Deeton and his brother, Richard Haywood Durrer.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 24 10:30 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, Rolling Road, Springfield, Virginia. Inurnment Thursday, May 25 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Fairfax County Police Honor Guard, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 24 10:30 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, Rolling Road, Springfield, Virginia. Inurnment Thursday, May 25 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Fairfax County Police Honor Guard, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Washington Post, 21 May 2017
————
Loving father of Dayle and Jane.
Following in the footsteps of his father, he joined the Fairfax County Police Department in 1947. William L. Durrer served Fairfax County as a law enforcement officer with pride, passion and integrity for 28 years. His tenure as a Patrol Sergeant at Groveton was a time he relished, and he would speak of fondly, while his tenure as Chief left a lasting legacy of accomplishments that continue to this day. Ten years later, as Fairfax County's population and economic development saw significant growth, Major Durrer (the highest rank at the time) was appointed Chief of Police. At 35 years old, he was the youngest police chief in the region.
With the county expanding so rapidly, Chief Durrer needed a new plan. Although he later claimed he "didn't have a plan" and "flew by the seat of his pants," his history of achievements tells a different story. Too numerous to list, some accomplishments included the establishment of six sub-stations; attaining his goal of having one officer for every 1,000 residents; opening a new state-of-the-art headquarters and instituting innovative technology; forming a Community Relations Division and Police Cadet Program; and formalizing and structuring the General Orders Manual to maintain consistency in operations and administration. He strategically added a local crime lab, which he would humorously speak about in terms of putting him at odds with J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI. His effort here enhanced local Police Forensic Investigative abilities and would result in the Department's present-day Crime Scene building being named after him.
The foundations he established for the Department before his retirement in 1975 after 17 years as Chief of Police continue on today in enhanced forms, and continue to serve the residents of Fairfax.
After his retirement, he and his wife Ayleen traveled extensively, including camping in Alaska and Canada. They moved to Venice, Florida in 1980 and lived there until moving to The Glebe in Daleville in January of this year. Sadly, William L. Durrer passed away on May 15, 2017, at The Glebe in Daleville, Virginia.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ayleen Mielke Durrer; two daughters, Jane (Mark) Stockwell and Dayle Dooley; three grandchildren W. Jeff (Kelley) Dooley, Emily (Geoff) Goodall and Paul R. (Maggie) Dooley, Sr.; and two great-grandsons, Coty Dooley and Paul Dooley, Jr.
He was predeceased by his sisters Betty Anne Durrer, Mary Durrer LaChaussee, Nancy Lee Durrer Griffin, Ellen Durrer Deeton and his brother, Richard Haywood Durrer.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 24 10:30 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, Rolling Road, Springfield, Virginia. Inurnment Thursday, May 25 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Fairfax County Police Honor Guard, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 24 10:30 a.m. at Messiah United Methodist Church, Rolling Road, Springfield, Virginia. Inurnment Thursday, May 25 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Fairfax County Police Honor Guard, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Washington Post, 21 May 2017
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Loving father of Dayle and Jane.
