Daniel “Danny” Richardson

Today we are honoring local Daniel “Danny” Richardson. Daniel served ten years (2009-2019) on the Waynesboro Police Reserve. I had a chance to talk to Daniel on the phone a learn a little more about his life and service to Waynesboro. Daniel was born in a section of Amherst County called Forks of Buffalo. Many family members worked in the timber industry but working in the timber industry did not interest Daniel. He wanted to do something different. A lack of other opportunities in his hometown led him to Waynesboro. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1984, with the support of his family. Daniel said they “knew he was bettering himself.” After returning from the Air Force, Daniel drove a tractor-trailer for 29 years at McKee foods in Stuarts Draft. At 43, Daniel decided to challenge himself. He signed up to volunteer in the Waynesboro Police Reserve while still working his driving job. As a reserve officer, Daniel worked events like the Summer Extravaganza and filled in wherever the Police Department needed him. He worked hard, sometimes his shift lasted 17 hours, but he says the work “inspired him to be a better person,” especially when he had the opportunity to work with children. He said he “wanted to a role model for kids” and let them know that “you can choose the right path” in life. Recently, Daniel retired to spend more time with his family, including his wife Sally (a veteran of the Waynesboro Police Department), his three kids, and two grandchildren.

Information provided by Daniel Richardson in February 2021