Dale V. Eaton

Dale V. Eaton, 86, of Parkersburg, WV passed away surrounded by his loving family on Friday, December 28, 2018 at Camden Clark Medical Center. He was born May 30, 1932 in Mineral Wells, WV a son of the late Wilbert McKinley and Effie Stephens Eaton. Dale was a 1951 graduate of Parkersburg High School, while at PHS he played football and was captain of the 1950 Championship team and also attended WV Technical College. Dale was a member of Harmony Baptist, formerly Broadway Baptist, where he was a deacon. On February 1, 1954, Dale joined the Parkersburg Police Force and served for 21 years. On October 15, 1970, he became Chief of Police. Eaton was aggressive and advocated schooling for his officers. He also believed that a man who was sloppy in his uniform, would also be sloppy in his work. If a patrolman's uniform was not clean and sharp, his shift commander was notified to take care of the situation. The next time the officer reported to duty in such manner he was sent home, with instructions not to return to work until his attire was suitable. Needless to say, pride was instilled in the officers and they knew they were the best; they dressed the best and looked the best, because the Chief demanded it. As for the schooling, the nation had just come through the 1960s with all its student unrest, riots, demonstrations and protests. Protest movements of the Vietnam War had just ended and the government granted considerable money for schooling. Chief Eaton took advantage of the government programs which also provided funds for equipment to fight crime or drugs. Chief Eaton encouraged his policemen to educate themselves to become better officers and he encouraged them to go to school. Furthermore, if an officer was interested in college, Eaton made sure that the man's shift was arranged so he could attend classes. Chief Eaton worked hard to get the incentive pay for college credits earned by the police officers, who received a dollar per hour per each college credit the earned. The Parkersburg Police Department purchased new radios for both the station and the cruisers, riot gear for any type of emergency, a burglary prevention van for the Crime Prevention Bureau, and in service training films for the officers. Furthermore, Chief Eaton setup the Tactical Unit which fought organized crime and worked on drug related offenses. Chief Eaton kept himself up-to-date as well as encouraging his men to do so. He attended the West Virginia State Police Academy, Civil Defense, Rescue Schooling, Criminal Investigation in Charleston, West Virginia; Special Schooling on Fingerprinting and Photography, Southern Police Institute on Criminal Investigation and Homicide, Scientific Crime School, Tri-State Arson, etc. He retired August 1, 1974, and entered the insurance business. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janet Buckley Eaton; a daughter, Kimberly (Steve) Nelson of Stockport, OH; two sons, Mike (Lisa) Eaton of Washington, WV and Kevin (Leda) Eaton of Lithia, FL; eight grandchildren, Sara Beth, Alan, Jon, Thomas, Wesley, Allie, Lindsey, and Cameron; three great grandchildren, Callie, Haylie, and Ava; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Donna Mae Carder and Fay Cox; and one brother, Bernard Eaton. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, December 31, 2018 at Lambert Tatman Funeral Home, 2333 Pike St., south Parkersburg, with Pastor Tom Gribble and Pastor Don Yeager officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 2-7 pm Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Latrobe Street Mission or House to Home of Parkersburg. An online guestbook for condolences is available at www.lamberttatman.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home of Parkersburg, WV.