Joseph Thomas Higgins Jr.

Born and raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Joe often said he learned early that he would have to choose the path of law enforcement—or risk ending up on the wrong side of a cell door with some of his childhood peers.

On his 18th birthday, he left school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was stationed on the USS Coral Sea and the USS Macon. While serving, he earned his GED and trained in photography, a skill he later used professionally for a short time before enjoying it as a lifelong hobby. After his discharge in Norfolk, he made Virginia his home for the rest of his life. He settled in Richmond, where he married and his children were born.

Joe joined the Richmond Police Department in 1957 and rose through the ranks to Major before retiring in 1987. During his distinguished career, he earned a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and received numerous awards. The honor he cherished most was the 1986 Sherwood Reader Award for Citizenship and Service from the City of Richmond.

He continued his career in security as Director of Nuclear Security for Virginia Power (Dominion Energy). In retirement, he worked as an investigator for a Richmond law firm before devoting his time to the Virginia Defense Force, where he served until the maximum allowed age of 75, retiring with the silver oak leaves of a Lieutenant Colonel.

Joe’s life was not all duty and uniforms. He was an avid Civil War enthusiast and passionate collector of model trains, making military miniature figures, collecting stamps and countless books on history. He loved his family, his cats, bird-watching, and the wildlife around his Goochland County home.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kay; daughter, Gail; son, Joseph; granddaughter, Jordan; and brother-in-law, Jack.

A private military interment will be held at Amelia Veterans Cemetery on May 22, 2026. A celebration of Joe’s life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Goochland Pet Lovers, P.O. Box 27, Oilville, VA 23129 (goochlandpetlovers.com) or Goochland Cares (goochlandcares.org) or a charity of your choice.