Final Salute to Captain David Bentley

Community invited to honor law enforcement officer with deep roots in Fluvanna

The Fluvanna Historical Society (FCHS) joins with the community organizations in Fluvanna, and people throughout Chautauqua County, in mourning the death of Captain David W. Bentley, a local law enforcement official raised in Fluvanna and whose family helped settle the hamlet.

For more information and how our community will mark this event, continue reading below.

Dave Bentley passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 9, 2022, as a result of an off-duty incident near Martha's Vineyard on Chautauqua Lake (between Fluvanna and Bemus Point). A lifelong resident of Chautauqua County, Captain Bentley was born October 27, 1959 and grew-up in Fluvanna. The son of the late Sheriff John Bentley and Lorine Ann Magnuson Bentley, Dave attended Fluvanna Elementary School and graduated from Maple Grove High School in 1977. After attending Hudson Valley Community College, Jamestown Community College and SUNY Fredonia, Dave began his law enforcement career by serving as an officer in the Village of Fredonia and Town of Ellicott police departments before joining the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department. He remained a member and held various key positions within the Sheriff's Department over the course of 37 years. To read more about the life and service of Captain Bentley, click here.

FCHS Joins the Community in a Final Salute to Captain Bentley

The funeral service for Captain Bentley will take place on Friday, July 15, 2022 at the First Lutheran Church in Jamestown. Viewing hours were on Thursday, July 14, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Lind Funeral Home.

The Fluvanna community will honor Captain Bentley's life and show their support for Dave's family and friends in a number of ways:

• Fluvanna Church:

  • The Fluvanna Church will toll the funeral bell for Captain Bentley;

  • The bell will ring 62 times - one toll for each year of Dave's life;

  • The funeral procession to the Cemetery will organize at the Church;

  • Starting at the Church, the coffin will be taken to the Cemetery in a horse-drawn hearse, followed by the family who will ride in a horse-drawn carriage and then by members and horses associated with the Stateline Draft Horse Club;

  • The hearse and carriage will be provided by Cracker Jack Farms;

• Fluvanna Cemetery:

  • Dave will be laid to rest in the Fluvanna Cemetery;

  • The Cemetery also serves as the resting place for many of his ancestors who were amongst the earliest settlers in Fluvanna;

• Fluvanna Historical Society (FCHS):

  • Besides posting this update for the public's benefit, the Historical Society will provide space next to Fluvanna's historic Meeting House in order for the horses to rest until the end of the committal service;

• Fluvanna Fire Department:

  • A reception immediately following the graveside service will take place at the Fire Department;

• Fluvanna Library:

  • For those wishing to leave a memorial in Captain Bentley's name, the family suggests making a donation to the Library, the Fluvanna Fire Department or the Chautauqua County 4-H.

We welcome you to share your memories and condolences with the family, by leaving a message in the Comment section below.

The Fluvanna Community Historical Society is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, provisionally chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and dedicated to connecting our community with our past, with each other and with a brighter future.

For more information, click here to contact us.