Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502240019
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Akers, a Floyd County native, thought of himself as a political gadfly. When he took office in 1975, he was said to be the first Democratic sheriff elected in Floyd County in as long as anyone could remember - maybe ever.
His tenure lasted only one term and was characterized by constant public horn-locking with the county's Board of Supervisors.
He was less than surprised at losing his attempt at re-election:
``My reaction is that being the first Democrat elected in Floyd County in about 140 years, it was going to be a difficult election.''
Akers' debates with Republican W.L. Whitlock, then the board chairman, frequently were chronicled by newspapers. He sued the county to force the supervisors to provide an additional jailer and deputy.
When he resigned from the New River Valley Planning District Commission's Law Enforcement Committee, he publicly criticized Whitlock and others on the board for fighting ``every effort to raise the standards of law enforcement in Floyd County.''
Akers rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army before retiring in 1968 after 30 years of service. He received five battle stars and the Legion of Merit for World War II and Vietnam.
by CNB