Celebrating the life of Leslie William Coffelt.
House Joint Resolution 105 is a commemorative resolution honoring Leslie William Coffelt, a Virginia native and former member of the White House Police Force, now the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division. The resolution recounts his life, including his upbringing in Shenandoah County, his law-enforcement career in Washington, D.C., his military service, and his assignment to Blair House during renovations at the White House in 1950.
The resolution focuses on Coffelt’s actions on November 1, 1950, when he was attacked by Puerto Rican nationalists attempting to breach Blair House and assassinate President Harry S. Truman. It states that Coffelt, despite being shot multiple times, exited his guard booth, engaged the attackers, and killed one of them, an act that saved the president’s life. The measure also notes his death from those injuries, his burial at Arlington National Cemetery, and later honors bestowed on him by the Secret Service.
HJ105 does not change state law or create new legal obligations; it is a ceremonial joint resolution. Its practical effect is to formally recognize Coffelt’s sacrifice, direct the Clerk of the House of Delegates to prepare a copy for his family, and place the General Assembly’s tribute into the official record. The resolution has no direct impact on statutes, regulations, or the rights and duties of affected parties beyond the symbolic acknowledgment of Coffelt, his family, and the law-enforcement community.
The sentiment surrounding the resolution is strongly positive and respectful. The General Assembly unanimously and formally honors Coffelt as a courageous law-enforcement officer who died in defense of the president, and the language emphasizes sadness, gratitude, and admiration for his service. The bill’s passage and enrolled status indicate no recorded opposition in the available history.
There is little to no apparent contention because the measure is a noncontroversial memorial resolution. The only substantive content in the text is historical narration of Coffelt’s heroism and sacrifice, and the resolution’s purpose is commemorative rather than policy-driven. No committee debate, recorded votes, or amendments are provided, suggesting broad agreement and no notable disagreement among legislators.