LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County extend their most heartfelt condolences to the family of former Sheriff Joseph Lee Somerville, Sr., who passed away on April 1, 2021, at the age of 81.
“On behalf of the St. Mary’s County Commissioners, we express our deepest condolences and ask God’s Blessing upon the Somerville family,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy. “Joseph Somerville will be remembered and missed.”
Born on November 19, 1939, Somerville was a native of Loveville, MD. He 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 the State of Maryland.
Somerville is survived by his wife of 59 years, Delores, his sons Joseph Lee Somerville Jr., Wayne Darrell Somerville, Kevin Darryl Somerville, Rodney Wendell Somerville and daughter Terry Cutchember. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, P.A.
The Maryland State Flag and St. Mary’s County Flag will be lowered to half-mast starting April 1, through interment.