Obituary of Daniel William Kriss

Daniel William Kriss age 91, died peacefully on Friday, March 22, 2019 at the Arbor Terrace assisted living facility in Manassas, Virginia. He was a retired captain on the Fairfax County Police Department and a longtime resident of Herndon.

Dan was born February 9, 1928 in Passaic, New Jersey. He began his life of service to others very early by joining the U.S Navy at age 14 in December, 1942. He had lost some older friends who were serving in World War II, and their loss coupled with his patriotism motivated him to devise a clever plan to join the Navy. Dan served aboard the USS Chauncey (DD-667) from May 1943 to January 1946 and experienced significant combat action in the South Pacific, including the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, the Philippines, and near the home island of Japan. He was 17 years, 11 months old when he was discharged, but then had to register for the draft when he turned 18. Dan was one of the youngest Navy combat veterans of World War II and was a member of a distinctive organization, the Veterans of Underage Military Service. Dan’s service is documented in volume one of the book, America’s Youngest Warriors.

After the war, Dan married his childhood sweetheart Julia Sudol (1927 -1997) and attended school on the GI bill obtaining  a college degree.  Together they had three children, twins, Daniel John Kriss, 1951 to 1967 and Carolyn Ann Kriss (Burns) 1951 to 2011, and  Raymond  K. Kriss of Centreville, Va.

At age 21, Dan became a police officer with the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. He served 61/2 years. In October 1956, Dan joined the Fairfax County Police Department. He rose rapidly through the ranks attaining the rank of Captain in 1970.

Dan was very involved with police training and in 1965 he was instrumental in establishing the Northern Virginia Police Academy, the first regional police training academy in Virginia. That organization exists today as the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy. Dan’s education and professionalism distinguished him among his peers and resulted in numerous special assignments throughout his career. He was assigned as the Director of the Virginia Central Police Academy in Richmond for one year and performed instructional duties for the International Association of Chiefs of Police.  He is credited with authoring the first set of General Orders documenting process and procedure for the FCPD.

In 1968, Dan was assigned by then Chief William Durrer to assist the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in conducting a study to determine if the County should transition law enforcement from a Sheriff’s office to a police department.   Then Lieutenant Kriss’ report cited, “The project staff concludes that the only sound course of action for Prince William County to follow, is to begin a carefully planned procedural program aimed at establishing an organized county police department.” On July 1, 1970 the Prince William County Police Department began operations.

In 1972 Captain Dan Kriss became the commander of the McLean District Station and two years later he became the commander of the Chantilly District Station. While at Chantilly, he was additionally assigned to plan a new station in the rapidly growing Reston area of Fairfax County. The Reston District Station opened in 1976, with Dan serving as the Commander until his retirement in June, 1979.

In retirement, Dan became the Chief of Police at both Dulles International and National Airports, what today is known as the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority Police (WMAA). He served in that capacity until he accepted a position managing security for the Mellon family in Upperville, Virginia, from which he retired a final time.

Dan remained involved with military alumni associations, including the USS Kidd DESRON 48 Association, the “Tin Can Sailors” National Association of Destroyer Veterans. He served on the board of directors of the Fairfax County Retired Police Association.

Dan leaves behind a long legacy of community service, gaining the respect of all that knew him. In addition to his public service, he was a dedicated family man and a caring friend to many. Survivors include his son Raymond K. Kriss and his wife Meg of Centreville and son-in-law Gerald P Burns (Norma Jean) of Jeffersonton. Grandchildren:  Wendi M. Banther (Eric) of  Warrenton,  Kathleen M. Burns of Manassas,  Daniel P. Burns (Jenn) of Fairfax and Alexandra E. Kriss  of Reston, and one great grandchild, Haley Verrilli-Banther.

Visitation:

Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 2-4 pm and 6-8pm

Adams Green Funeral Home

721 Eldon St, Herndon, VA 20170

703-471-4090

Funeral:

Wednesday, April 3, 2019, 11am

Adams Green Funeral Home

721 Eldon St, Herndon, VA 20170

703-471-4090

Internment:

Immediately Following the Service

Chestnut Grove Cemetery

831Dranesville Rd, Herndon, VA

Reception Immediately following the Internment

Donations may be made to:

St Jude Children's Research Hospital 

www.stjude.org