WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today commended the House passage of H.R. 5142, a bill he introduced to name the U.S. Post Office in Rich Square, North Carolina as the “Chief Joseph E. White, Jr. Post Office Building.”
Butterfield said, “For more than 20 years, Chief Joseph White, Jr. served Northampton County with honor and courage. Within law enforcement he was regarded as a courageous leader, and within the larger community as a selfless hero. We show our gratitude for his service and sacrifice by naming the Rich Square Post Office in his honor.”
Born and raised in Ahoskie, Chief White joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 and served for 20 years before retiring. After his naval career, Chief White entered law enforcement where he served as Northampton County deputy sheriff, a corrections officer, and as Chief of Police for both the Woodland and Rich Square Police Departments.
Throughout his life, Chief White was heavily involved in his community and family. He was a Deacon and Sunday school teacher, as well as a volunteer firefighter for the Woodland Fire Department.
On July 16, 2000, while serving as Chief of Police for the Rich Square Police Department, Chief White was shot and killed five months before his retirement after he stopped a vehicle during an investigation of a possible drive-off at a local gas station.
The post office facility is located at 113 West Jackson Street, Rich Square, N.C.