Charles B. Runyon

Charles Benjamin "Bennie" Runyon (May 4, 1909 – October 6, 1961) was contractor, former Fairfax County constable and member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Personal

Runyon was married to Mary A. Runyon and they had five children: sons Charles, William, and Clyde, and daughters Robin and Apryl.[1]

Professional

In 1931, Runyon was elected to his first office as constable for the Falls Church District.[2] The newly-elected constable was seriously injured on December 27 of that year when he swerved to avoid a car that turned suddenly in front of his motorcycle.[3]

On September 14, 1932, Constable Runyon fatally shot Frank Lewis near Lewis' Baileys Crossroads home when Lewis confronted him with a pistol.[4] Initially charged with murder, the Fairfax County Circuit Court Grand Jury declined to indict Runyon on September 19.[5]

Runyon was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1947, representing the Falls Church District.[6]

While serving on the BoS, Runyon proposed that the county create a centralized notification and alarm system and place paid firefighters in each of the county's 11 volunteer fire departments. This proposal was approved by the BoS on May 4, 1949.[7]

His reelection bid was defeated in the Democratic primaries of 1951 by Anne A. Wilkins[8], who would be elected to the BoS in the elections of that year.

He was again elected to the BoS in 1953 to fill a specially-created at-large position which was part of the redistricting plan that also created the Mason District.[9] Runyon retired from the Board of Supervisors in 1955.[10]

Death

Runyon was killed when his car was struck by one driven by 18-year-old Thomas S. Claffy and plunged off the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Washington on October 6, 1961.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Obituary:Charles Benjamin Runyon." The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973): B13. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Oct 08 1961. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
  2. ↑ "Interest in Fairfax County Elections Sequel to Primary." The Washington Post (1923-1954): M12. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Nov 01 1931. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
  3. ↑ "Rider Hurt Trying to Save Children." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 11. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Dec 28 1931. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
  4. ↑ "FAIRFAX CONSTABLE IS HELD IN SLAYING." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 1. Sep 17 1932. ProQuest. Web. 13 Sep. 2016.
  5. ↑ "GRAND JURY CLEARS FAIRFAX CONSTABLE." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 10. Sep 20 1932. ProQuest. Web. 13 Sep. 2016.
  6. ↑ "Fairfax County (Unofficial) 2 6 Precincts." The Washington Post (1923-1954): B1. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Aug 07 1947. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
  7. ↑ "Fairfax Board Approves Fire Control Setup." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 1. May 05 1949. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Web. 26 Oct. 2012.
  8. ↑ Bergheim, Mel. "Virginia Housewife Nominated." The Washington Post (1923-1954): B3. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Aug 09 1951. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
  9. ↑ "Fairfax Tiebreaker Era Ended." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 6. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Nov 07 1953. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
  10. ↑ "Fairfax Rejects Trailer Park." The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959): 28. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Dec 29 1955. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
  11. ↑ Diggins, Peter S. "Runyon was Active in Helping Growth of Fairfax County." The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973): C3. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Oct 07 1961. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
Preceded by
 
Supervisor from the Falls Church District
1948 – 1952
Succeeded by
Anne A. Wilkins