April 1, 2021
It is with profound loss, humility and sadness that the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office announces the passing of former Sheriff Joseph Lee Somerville.
Sheriff Somerville died on April 1, 2021 at the age of 81.
Sheriff Somerville’s terms in office from 1977 to 1982 were historic. A native of Loveville, Somerville was St. Mary’s County’s first black sheriff’s deputy when he joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1966.
In 1977, Somerville became both the first black sheriff in St. Mary’s County and in the state of Maryland when he was appointed by the governor to complete the previous sheriff’s term. Sheriff Somerville went on to win the 1978 election for St. Mary’s County Sheriff, which then made him the first elected black sheriff in St. Mary’s County and in Maryland as well.
February 9, 2021
In honor of Black History Month we celebrate Sheriff Joseph Lee Somerville Sr., who was the first African-American to be elected Sheriff in both the state of Maryland and in St. Mary’s County.
Sheriff Somerville began his career as a Deputy Sheriff with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in 1966. At that time, Sheriff Somerville was also the first African-American Deputy Sheriff to join the agency. By 1976, Sheriff Somerville had earned the rank of Lieutenant. In March of 1977, Sheriff Somerville was appointed Sheriff by Maryland Governor Mandel to finish out the term of Sheriff George Sanger, who died during his term.