Obituary of Paul Richard Nicholson

Paul R. Nicholson, Sr., of Hopewell departed for his heavenly journey on December 29, 2017. He was born April 13, 1930 in Criglersville in Madison County, VA. Paul was a retired sheriff of the city of Hopewell. He had 39 years of experience in law enforcement, beginning in 1954 with the police department in Fredericksburg, VA. Paul was employed by the Hopewell Bureau of Police in 1961, working through the ranks until he became lieutenant, a position he held until he was elected sheriff in 1981. He was the sheriff of Hopewell from 1981 until his retirement in 2000. Sheriff Nicholson had taken courses in Law Enforcement Supervision and Management at the University of Virginia, Northwestern University, University of Richmond, John Tyler Community College and Crater Criminal Justice Academy. During his tenure as sheriff, he rebuilt the jail in Hopewell, which remained operational until 1997 when the Riverside Regional Jail was opened. Sheriff Nicholson was part of the Virginia Sheriff's Association, National Sheriff Association, Hopewell Moose Lodge, American Legion Post 0146, DuPont Masonic Lodge 289, Eastern Star, Alpha Chapter No. 1, O.E.S.. He was a life member of VFW Post 637, FOP Lodge 17, former board member of the Crater Criminal Justice Academy and a former board member of the Riverside Regional Jail. He was a deacon and member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hopewell and also attended First Methodist Church in Hopewell. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Norma Daniel Nicholson of Hopewell; a daughter, Paula Wyatt (Dane); son, Paul R. Nicholson, Jr. (Elise); two granddaughters and a grandson. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 2, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 214 N. 6th Ave in Hopewell. His funeral ceremony will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 3 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends will reconvene at 1:00 p.m. at Rocky Run Methodist Church Cemetery, 1764 Lew Jones Road, Alberta, VA 23821. Condolences may be registered online at www.memorialfh.com.