Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
2024 Annual Report
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office is one of the few full-service sheriff’s offices in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This means that in addition to providing court security and civil process, it also provides investigative services and acts as the primary law enforcement agency responsible for patrol for the 442 miles encompassing the county. Law Enforcement Certified Deputies are required to complete 480 hours of minimum compulsory training and an additional 100 hours of field training and as with other Deputies must receive ongoing training to remain certified.
The Sheriff’s Office is comprised of a total of thirty-four (34) full-time staff, including Sheriff Vaughan. There are an additional nine (9) part-time staff, and two (2) reserve deputies. Ten (10) of the staff are not certified or sworn to make arrests but are critical in maintaining operations conducive to professional response to citizens.
The Sheriff’s Office continues a service contract with the Town of Fries first established in 2011. The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office provides police services for the Town of Fries which provides 160 hours per month of dedicated patrol to the town for $36,000. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office leveraged grants in the total amount of $579,901, generating total revenues to offset costs of protective and preventative services to the county in the amount of $615,901.
Fries Contract
| Contract Services | $36,000 |
Grant funds awarded for FY23-24
| DCJS – VSTOP | Investigator | $ 100,000 |
| DCJS – JAG | Equipment | $ 1,441 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer-FT | $ 42,000 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer-FT | $ 36,930 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer-FT | $ 36,930 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer-PT | $ 25,000 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer-PT | $ 25,000 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer-PT | $ 25,000 |
| DMV Grant x2 | DUI and Speed Enforcement | $16,850 |
| BVP | Bullet Proof Vest Partnership | $ 2,750 |
| HIDTA | Drug Interdiction Overtime | $ 19,000 |
| DCJS – Equipment | ARPA | $291,000 |
| Total Awarded funds | $579,901 |
In 2024, Grayson County deputies responded to 8,193 calls for service, an average of 683 calls per Patrol Deputy. There were 408 Animal Control calls in 2024.
In addition to responding to calls, Deputies also served 5,062 warrants (1,049 criminal and 4,013 civil). This amounts to an average of 422 warrants served per Patrol Deputy.
The department recorded forty-six felony charges in the Investigations Division, along with 84 drug charges on 60 defendants. Larceny and burglary incidents were at 78 and the arrests came to a combined total of 11.
The Crime Suppression Unit/Drug Interdiction was responsible for 60 drug arrests last year. Sheriff’s Office Drug Sniffing K-9 Atos completed four K9 tracks and completed 16 searches and 2 school searches.
The department investigated or assisted with 41 traffic accidents, issued 103 traffic summonses, and 83 warnings.
There were 29 DUI/DUID arrests made, and 22 charges placed on felons in possession of firearms. Forty-nine (49) search warrants were also executed. The department recovered five stolen vehicles.
Additional Duties and Services Provided
Grayson deputies served 149 Emergency Protective Orders (EPO) in cases involving domestic violence. One of the most time-consuming assignments deputies completed in 2024 was the service of seven (11) Emergency Custody Orders (ECO) and eighteen (24) Temporary Detention Orders (TDO). When a mental health evaluation is completed and a TDO is issued, deputies must transport patients to Southwestern Mental Health in Marion or other facilities across the state. Often times patients are transported to Virginia Beach or Petersburg. We never know where a bed will be available. The average time spent on a TDO is 12 to 14 hours, and sometimes up to 20 hours. This equates to a minimum of 378 hours deputies were out of service involved in the TDO process in 2024.
Patrol deputies check the security of every business in the county every night – 16,704 closed business checks were conducted; six buildings were found unsecured. Deputies performed additional patrols in areas of the county where citizens have identified a special need – a total of 4,234 requested patrols were completed in 2024. The Sheriff’s Office provided escorts to 8 funerals. Deputies assisted 178 motorists and assisted fire and rescue departments in two hundred (200) incidents.
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office understands the importance of partnering with citizens and civic organizations to prevent crime in our communities. The Sheriff’s Office is prevention minded and partners throughout the county with citizens and businesses to create a force multiplier. Community liaisons in the various regions of the county are being established. Two-way communications with the Sheriff’s Office are facilitated by these community liaisons and through assigning deputies’ responsibility for contacts by zone. Community liaisons and groups have been organized in several areas of the county. Educational programs are presented by Sheriff’s Office staff to inform the public of recent crime trends and to provide tips on how to prevent them from falling victim to certain crimes. The Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) is a partnership with our aging population to keep them active and informed. National Night Out against crime is held on the first Tuesday of August each year. The partnership with local businesses, Churches, and EMS organizations continues to grow each year.
The Sheriff’s Office is staffed according to specific Division and responsibility.
Administrative Division
The primary function of the Administrative Division is to provide support services to the Sheriff as well as all other divisions. This division consists of not only the Sheriff, but also his Chief Deputy, a Captain, and Administrative Assistant. Among the administrative functions provided by this staff is budget preparation, timesheet management, data analysis, training and report compliance, equipment and uniform controls, and much more.
Sheriff Richard Vaughan -Sheriff Richard Vaughan is the executive officer with responsibilities for overseeing the entire agency. In addition to other training and experience, he completed the Advanced Crime Scene Investigation training at the Virginia Forensic Science Academy in Richmond.
Sheriff Vaughan serves on the New River Valley Regional Jail Board, serves as Chairman of the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy, and is the current President of the Virginia Law Enforcement Sheriffs. Sheriff Vaughan often times testifies before different committees in Richmond while the General Assembly is in session.
Chief Deputy Gary Hash –Ensures Sheriff’s Office communications equipment is up to date and properly maintained. Coordinates training for the staff, keeps deputies supplied with uniforms and equipment, and manages the fleet of vehicles. Acts as Human Resources coordinator.
Captain Todd Perkins – Supervises all operations, Patrol & Investigations. He is also a General Instructor. Captain Perkins is also the department’s accreditation manager and is working toward being a certified crime prevention specialist.
Karen Smith Administrative Assistant – Performs office related duties, is a certified dispatcher, and coordinates community events.
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division is divided into four shifts that work rotating 12-hour shifts providing coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week patrol and response, as well as frequent community interaction and engagement. Deputies respond to calls for services, initiate enforcement, and provide proactive after-hour business checks and vacation checks of resident’s property.
Lieutenant Jody Poole – Supervises the Patrol Division, and is a General Instructor
Sergeant Bradley Hoffman – Crime Suppression/Drug Interdiction Supervisor
Sergeant Brad Hawks – Patrol B Team Supervisor and Field Training Officer
Sergeant Jason Horner – Patrol Team A Supervisor and Field Training Officer
Corporal Steven Greer – Patrol Deputy, K9 Handler
Corporal Chris Shaw– Patrol Deputy
Deputy Eric Jones – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Adam Bolling – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Jordan Rice – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Vernon Landreth – Patrol Deputy, General Instructor, Chaplain
Deputy Matthew Barnes – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Chase Long – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Josh Brannock – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Zack Phipps – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Austin Haga – Animal Control Officer
Criminal Investigations Division
The Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for follow-up and investigation of crimes that are reported and proactively investigate unreported crimes that have come to their attention via anonymous information or active pursuit of a preventative nature. Investigators have received specialized training to aid in their investigations and the crimes which may occur in Grayson County.
Investigator Sergeant Mico Davis – Domestic Violence Investigator, Criminal Investigator, GRACE team member for sexual assault and is also a Forensic Science Academy graduate.
Investigator Sergeant Jeremy Moss – Narcotics Investigator assigned to the Twin County Drug Task Force
Investigator Sergeant Cody McGrady – Criminal Investigator
Investigator Sergeant Jordan Johnson – Criminal Investigator, Forensic Science Academy graduate
Civil Division/Court Security
This Division maintains security of the courtrooms by serving as a bailiff while the court is in session. They also are responsible for serving warrants, civil processes, and manning the metal detectors located in the courthouse. They also monitor various security cameras which are located in various areas inside and outside of the facility.
Lieutenant Darren Barrett– Supervises the Civil Division and Courtroom Security Operations.
Sergeant Alan Graham – Civil Process Server, transports defendants to court from other court from other jurisdictions, General Instructor and Firearms Instructor
Sergeant Fran Stallard – Courtroom Security, certified dispatcher, fill-in civil clerk
Deputy Jason Hawks – Courthouse Security Officer-PT
Nikea Cornett – Part-time civil clerk/dispatcher
School Resource Officer (SRO) Division
The SRO serves as a valuable resource to students and parents in the school district. The SRO functions within a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between the Sheriff’s Office and the Grayson County School District. Roles defined within that MOU are procedures for handling school investigations, arrests, searches, participating in training school staff, providing instruction to students, and assisting in the statutorily mandated annual school safety audit and the crime prevention through environmental design checklist. Although not necessarily specified, one of the major roles of the SRO is to establish rapport with students and to be a positive model of law enforcement.
Sergeant David Johnson – School Resource Officer assigned to Grayson County High School
Deputy Coty Clifford – School Resource Officer assigned to the CATE Center
Deputy Cody Sharpe – School Resource Officer assigned to Independence Middle School
Deputy James Russell – School Resource Officer assigned to Grayson Highlands School
Sergeant Jeff Merilic – Part-time School Resource Officer assigned to Independence Elementary School
Deputy Bobby Jones – Part-time School Resource Officer assigned to Fries School, D.A.R.E. instructor, Emergency Medical Technician and Hunter Safety instructor.
Dean Horton – Part-time School Resource Officer assigned to Fairview Elementary School
Sergeant Rhonda Halsey – Reserve School Resource Officer
Deputy Brandon Phillips – Reserve Officer
Dispatch/Communications Division
The Communications Division staff provide prompt, efficient, and courteous emergency services to citizens of Grayson County. They also are on duty around the clock, every day of the year. While unseen and unsung as first responders, they are the first point of contact for citizens in an emergency.
Brad Chambers – Communications Supervisor, Dispatcher, General Instructor, VCIN Instructor
Allen Faulkner – Dispatcher
Teresa Blevins – Dispatcher
Sandra Hawkins – Dispatcher
Stephanie Young – Part-time Dispatcher
Claire Shaw – Part-time Dispatcher
Angela Short – Part-time Dispatcher
Amy Felts – Part-time Dispatcher
Ongoing Commitment To Professionalism
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office continues to be committed to being the most professional organization possible. We are in the final phases of the accreditation process. For the first time ever, we will be accredited through the Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition. The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) make up the VLEPSC. Commission members consisting of active Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police establish professional standards and administer the accreditation process by which Virginia agencies can be systematically measured, evaluated, and updated.
We seek professional credentialling through VLEPSC while at the same time seeking to be recognized for our services toward a proactive and preventative focus. We are also nearing the completion of the requirements of becoming a Certified Crime Prevention Community through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Criminal Justices Services Board.
Sheriff Vaughan stated, “I am very proud of the dedicated men & women we have working at the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office. All of us are dedicated to keeping our communities safe while providing professional public safety services to our citizens.”