Charles Nelson Cavey

Charles Nelson Cavey, 78, of Shenandoah, died on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Sentara RMH Medical Center. 
He was born on Nov. 11, 1943, in Harrisonburg and was a son of the late Thomas Cavey and Helen Spitzer Cavey. 

Charles joined the United States Navy in 1961 where he was on active duty until 1964. From 1964-1967 he was in the reserves where he was honorably discharged. In 1975, he joined the Shenandoah Police Department where he served as a police officer until 1979 when he was promoted to Chief. Charles served as Chief until 1984, when he left to join the Page County Sheriffs Office as a patrol officer. Charles was quickly promoted to investigator in 1985 and then to Lieutenant Investigator in 1989 – a position in which he stayed until he returned to the patrol division in 2000. Charles patrolled the streets of Page County until 2014, when at 70 years old, he transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division until he finally, FINALLY retired in 2019 at the age of 76.

Charles was a certified Fire Investigator with the International Association of Fire Investigators as well as a certified vehicle theft investigator (H.E.A.T). He was a board member on the Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators from 1989-1995, and president 1995-1999. Charles received a life saving award from the Page County Sheriff’s Office in 2011 along with a citation from the American Red Cross.

Aside from his military and law enforcement careers, Charles was a member of Hose Company #4 in Harrisonburg for approximately 14 years.

Charles had an impact on many lives in the community. He will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by a son, Ronnie Price of Shenandoah; a sister, Janet Hill of Harrisonburg; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter,  Sherry Price; and a brother, Robert Cavey. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with expenses .

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