Covington, VA (Mar. 11, 2025) — During Tuesday night's regularly-scheduled meeting, longtime police officer, Sergeant Justin Jefferson, and former teacher and coach with the Covington school system, Robert "Rob" Bennett II were honored.
Jefferson had been with the police department for nearly 12 years and, according to Officer C.J. Smith, wrestled with the idea of moving on following the death of Officer Caleb Ogilvie. This Friday (3/14/25) marks the 3-year-anniversary of Ogilvie's end of watch who, citizens may recall, was killed in the line of duty after responding to a domestic disturbance at the Covington Farm & Fuel back in 2022.
"When something like that happens [Ogilvie's passing], there's a lot of impact that people don't realize," Smith said, "and essentially, this is one of the things that was a driving moment for Justin [Jefferson] to kind of move on." Smith then presented Jefferson with a plaque and pin for his years of service with the police department.
It was then time to honor Rob Bennett, former teacher and coach in the Covington school division. Bennett began his career in education in 1990 until his retirement in 2021. During that time, he also served as mayor of Covington from 2004-2012. He passed just two days before Christmas in 2024 and barely over a year after his father, Robert "Bob" Bennett, who passed on November 7, 2023.
Afterwards, City Manager Allen Dressler read a proclamation in memory of Rob Bennett before presenting it to his family members who were present for the meeting. It reads, in part, "Whereas Rob Bennett dedicated his time, talent, and leadership through serving the citizens of the city of Covington as Mayor as city council member, as well as supporting the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States government and, whereas Rob Bennett was totally dedicated to the staff, students, families, and supporters of Covington High School, Jeter Watson Intermediate School, as well as the Covington City School Board and staff as their teacher, mentor, principal, advocate and friend..."
|  | The family of Rob Bennett II were emotional during City Manager Allen Dressler's reading of Bennett's proclamation.
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