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🎉 Sheriff Honors “Alexandria Living Legend” Gayle Reuter on Retirement

Subtitle: From City Hall to Del Ray’s Heart — an Alexandria Living Legend Retires After Decades of Public Service and Community Impact

Gayle Reuter points out a painting of her late dog, Dodger, who was immortalized on the Wall of Dogs that faces Pat Miller Square in Del Ray.
Gayle Reuter points out a painting of her late dog, Dodger, who was immortalized on the Wall of Dogs that faces Pat Miller Square in Del Ray. (Photo: Lucelle O’Flaherty)

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Today, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and broader community comes together to celebrate the outstanding public service of Gayle Reuter, who officially retires from her role as Accreditation Manager after five impactful years with ASO.

In a heartfelt post shared on the Sheriff’s Office’s social media today, Sheriff Sean Casey and ASO expressed their gratitude:

“Today we celebrate the career and retirement of Gayle Reuter. With an extensive career in public service, Gayle joined ASO five years ago as our accreditation manager. In addition to ensuring that ASO maintained all our national accreditations and received the prestigious Triple Crown Award, she found other ways to support the Office through community outreach and serving on multiple committees.

Joey Cavila and Gayle Reuter with the big Heart of Del Ray sign.
Gayle helped present the Heart of Del Ray award to Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza In 2019. Here pictured with Joey of Yates Corporate. (Photo: Lucelle O’Flaherty)

For anyone who knows Gayle, this is not surprising as she has generously shared her time, leadership and genuine love of Alexandria with neighbors and local organizations, including Del Ray Business Association, for decades. Please join Sheriff Casey and all of ASO in wishing Gayle the very best in this next chapter!”

Since joining the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office in 2020, Gayle played a pivotal role in maintaining three key national accreditations and securing the prestigious Triple Crown Award from the National Sheriffs’ Association  . Sheriff Casey noted how grateful the office is for her leadership and dedication

Before her work with ASO, she spent 16 years serving as a staff aide to Congressman Jim Moran, as well as earlier work with the city’s Council.

But perhaps her most widely felt impact was in her beloved Del Ray community

Gayle Reuter in golf cart at Halloween Parade with kids in costume all around her.
Gayle Reuter graced the back cover of The Zebra one year with the headline Heart of Del Ray. (Photo: Mary Wadland)

Since moving to Del Ray in 1983, Gayle has led and volunteered on countless neighborhood initiatives—most notably:

  • Founding and organizing the Del Ray Block Party in 1991, which evolved into Art on the Avenue, now drawing more than 50,000 attendees annually  
  • Chairing the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade since 1997, entertaining over 10,000 participants a year  
  • Serving on the Del Ray Business Association board since 1991 and leading events like the Taste of Del Ray, Turkey Trot, and monthly summer festivals  

Her selflessness was further evidenced in 2002, when the Del Ray community raised funds to help her purchase the home she’d been renting—and even surprised her with a new roof shortly after.

Looking ahead, Gayle has exciting retirement plans. Her last day is today, July 3, after which she intends to travel, spend more time with her five grandchildren, and deepen her volunteer work—including delivering Meals on Wheels for Senior Services of Alexandria  .

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Mary Wadland

Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, founded by her in 2010. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and has lived and worked in the Alexandria publishing community since 1987.

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