Tappahannock Police Chief James G. Ashworth Jr. has announced he will be stepping down from his role at the end of this calendar year. According to the Rappahannock Times, Ashworth, who has served as Police Chief since July 1, 2012, announced his intention at meeting this month of the Tappahannock Town Council. Before becoming Police Chief here, Ashworth served 37 years with the Virginia State Police. He began his career in law enforcement in 1975 as a State Police patrol officer assigned to Essex County.