Annual Report
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
2022 Annual Report
Grayson County deputies responded to 8,476 calls for service in 2022. Deputies also served 5,478 warrants (1,076 criminal and 4,402 civil). The department recorded forty-eight felony charges in the Investigations Division, along with 203 drug charges on 92 defendants. Larceny and burglary arrests came to a combined total of 17.
The Crime Suppression Unit/Drug Interdiction was responsible for over 100 drug arrests last year. Sheriff’s Office Drug Sniffing K-9 Atos completed 42 searches.
The department investigated or assisted with 220 traffic accidents, issued 182 traffic summonses, and 114 warnings. There were 15 DUI/DUID arrests made and twenty-three charges placed on felons in possession of firearms. Thirty-three search warrants were also executed. The department recovered six stolen vehicles.
Grayson deputies served 38 Emergency Protective Orders in cases involving domestic violence. One of the most time-consuming assignments deputies completed in 2022 was the service of 57 Emergency Custody Orders and 31 Temporary Detention Orders (TDO’s). 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.
Courtesy and non-emergency services included:
Patrol deputies check the security of every business in the county every night – 25,883 closed business checks were conducted, 20 open buildings were found, and 297 motorists were assisted. There were 220 incidents where deputies assisted fire departments and rescue squads.
The Sheriff’s Office provided escorts to 48 funerals and Deputies performed additional patrols in areas of the county where citizens have identified a special need – a total of 4,452 requested patrols were completed in 2022.
Sheriff Richard Vaughan is one of few shared sheriffs in Virginia. In addition to law enforcement responsibilities for the entire county, and providing deputies for court security, a shared sheriff is also responsible for the service of civil process for Grayson County and the Grayson County portion of the City of Galax.
The Grayson County Sheriff’s office is comprised of twelve patrol officers, including 2 Sergeants and 2 Corporals. There are three investigators, four dispatchers, three courtroom security officers, five school resource officers and one civil officer. One civil clerk and one administrative secretary are also employed at the Sheriff’s office. The department has a drug detecting canine, Atos. All sworn personnel and dispatchers are first responders, trained in CPR and first aid and NIMS (National Incident Management System) certification. Two personnel, Sheriff Vaughan, and Sgt. Mico Davis have completed advanced crime scene investigation training at the Virginia Forensic Science Academy in Richmond.
Administration –
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 the TRIAD program for Senior Citizens and other community events.
Patrol Division
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 Chris Shaw– Patrol Deputy
Deputy Eric Jones – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Cody Sharpe – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Steven Greer – Patrol Deputy, K9 Handler
Deputy Jordan Rice – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Vernon Landreth – Patrol Deputy, General Instructor, Chaplain, Church Security
Deputy Coty Clifford – 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
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
Civil Division/Court Security
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 Elijah Vaughan – Courthouse Security Officer
Nikea Cornett – Part-time civil clerk/dispatcher
School Resource Officer Division
Sergeant Jeff Merilic – School Resource Officer assigned to Independence Elementary School, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Hunter Safety Instructor and Master Deputy.
Sergeant Jordan Johnson – School Resource Officer assigned to Grayson County High School, General Instructor
Sergeant Rhonda Halsey – Part-time School Resource Officer assigned to Grayson Highlands School, General Instructor
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
Deputy Brandon Phillips – Reserve Officer
Dispatch/Communications Division
Brad Chambers – Communications Supervisor, Dispatcher, General Instructor, VCIN Instructor
Teresa Blevins – Dispatcher
Allen Faulkner – Dispatcher
Stephanie Young – Dispatcher
Sandra Hawkins – Part-time Dispatcher
Claire Shaw – Part-time Dispatcher
Angela Short – Part-time Dispatcher
Crime Prevention & Community Watch
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office understands the importance of partnering with citizens and civic organizations to prevent crime in our communities. Community Watch Groups have been organized in several areas of the county. Educational programs are taught to these groups to inform the public of recent crime trends and 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.
Town of Fries Police Services Contract – The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office provides police services for the Town of Fries. In 2011, the Town of Fries and the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office negotiated a contract which provides 160 hours per month of dedicated patrol to the town.
Fries Contract
|
Contract Services |
$36,000 |
Grant funds awarded for FY21-22
|
DCJS – LAP |
Investigator |
$ 49,595 |
|
DCJS – CESF |
Equipment |
$ 11,159 |
|
DCJS – JAG (x4) |
Equipment |
$ 21,040 |
|
DCJS – SRO |
School Resource Officer |
$ 47,803 |
|
DCJS – SRO |
School Resource Officer |
$ 47,803 |
|
DMV Grant x2 |
DUI and Speed |
$ 16,570 |
|
HIDTA |
Drug Interdiction Overtime |
$ 22,000 |
|
Total Awarded funds |
|
$ 215,970 |
Sheriff Richard Vaughan also 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.
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office is in the final phases of the accreditation process. For the first time ever, we will be accredited through the Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition. Also, we are nearing the completion of the requirements of being a Certified Crime Prevention Community through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
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.”