Prince William–Manassas jail board accepts superintendent’s resignation, names acting superintendent and authorizes nationwide search

The Prince William–Manassas Regional Jail Board voted unanimously on July 17 to accept the resignation of Superintendent Peter J. Melitus, who is stepping down after 42 years of service. The board set Melitus’s last day as Oct. 1, 2024, and passed a resolution thanking him for his long service.

The board immediately extended the appointment of Major George Herlock as acting superintendent. The board’s motion notes Herlock has served as acting superintendent since March 20, 2024, and directs that he remain in that role until a new superintendent is appointed.

The board also authorized Sheriff Hill, as board chair, to work with the Prince William County Human Resources Office to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent superintendent. The resolution authorizes the creation of a personnel committee, chaired by Sheriff Hill and comprising two other board members selected by him, to review applications and recommend up to five candidates for interviews by the full board.

All three actions — accepting the resignation, extending the acting appointment and authorizing the search — passed on unanimous roll-call votes. After the votes, board members offered remarks thanking Melitus for his decades of service and wishing him well in retirement.

The board handled related personnel matters in closed session prior to the votes and later certified that only permitted topics were discussed in closed meeting under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711 A(1) and (8). The board then reconvened in open session to take the formal votes.

Next steps: Sheriff Hill will coordinate with county human resources on the search timeline and personnel committee membership; the board will interview up to five candidates chosen by that committee.