Annual Report
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
2021 Annual Report
This year has been challenging, to say the least. The pandemic has continued to hit Grayson County hard, but we have been diligent. In addition to deputies responding to 7,528 calls for service, deputies have also served 4,913 warrants (981 criminal and 3,932 civil). The department recorded seventy-nine felony charges in the Investigations Division, along with eighty-six drug arrests. Larceny and burglary arrests came to a combined total of 25.
Sheriff’s Office Drug Sniffing K-9 Rebel completed 24 searches last year, of which twelve were done in conjunction with school administration at the Independence Middle School, Grayson County High School, and the CATE Center.
The department investigated or assisted with 130 traffic accidents, issued 146 traffic summonses, and issued eighty-five warnings. There were 15 DUI/DUID arrests made and thirty-four charges placed on felons in possession of firearms. Seven search warrants were also executed. The department recovered ten stolen vehicles.
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has also seen an increase with the number of cases adopted by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. The department has referred cases to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, The United States Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Grayson County Investigators requested the Virginia State Police to administer two polygraphs. Grayson deputies served 201 Emergency Protective Orders in cases involving domestic violence. One of the most time-consuming assignments deputies completed in 2021 was the service of 20 Emergency Custody Orders and 49 Temporary Detention Orders (TDO’s). When a mental evaluation is completed and a TDO is issued, deputies must transport patients to St. Albans Psychiatric Hospital in Radford or Southwestern Mental Health in Marion. 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 deputies are tied up for 24 to 36 hours.
Courtesy and non-emergency services included:
Patrol deputies check the security of every business in the county every night – 7,340 closed business checks were conducted, and fourteen open buildings were found, and 304 motorists were assisted. There were 130 incidents where deputies assisted fire departments and rescue squads.
The Sheriff’s Office provided escorts to sixteen funerals and Deputies performed additional patrols in areas of the county where citizens have identified a special need – a total of 2,406 requested patrols were completed in 2021.
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, two courtroom security 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, including the Sheriff; 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 is a certified dispatcher and D.A.R.E. Instructor and is also a General Instructor.
Captain Todd Perkins – Supervises all operations, Patrol & Investigations. Lt. Perkins in an Intermediate Level Emergency Medical Technician. He is also a General Instructor and is deputized with the US Marshals Service. He also serves on the Virginia Search and Rescue Council and is a GRACE team member for sexual assault
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
Jody Poole – Supervises the Patrol Division, SERT team member, General Instructor
Sgt. Jordan Johnson – Patrol Team A
Sgt. Bradley Hoffman – Patrol Team B
Corporal Seth Cutshall – Patrol Deputy and Field Training Officer
Corporal Brad Hawks – Patrol Deputy and Field Training Officer
Deputy Chris Shaw– Patrol Deputy
Deputy Eric Jones – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Jason Horner – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Cody Sharpe – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Steven Greer – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Jordan Rice – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Vernon Landreth – Patrol Deputy, General Instructor, Chaplain, Church Security Instructor
Deputy Coty Clifford – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Chase Long – Animal Control Officer
Criminal Investigations Division
Investigator Sgt. Mico Davis – Domestic Violence Investigator, Criminal Investigator, GRACE team member for sexual assault and is also a Forensic Science Academy graduate.
Investigator Sgt. Jeremy Moss – Narcotics Investigator, SERT Team member and member of the Twin County Drug Task Force
Investigator Sgt. Cody McGrady – Criminal Investigator, SERT Team member
Civil Division/Court Security
Lieutenant Darren Barrett– Supervises the Civil Division and Courtroom Security Operations. Lt. Barrett also serves civil papers on a daily basis.
Sergeant Alan Graham – Civil Process Server, transports defendants to court from other court from other jurisdictions, & works court security, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor and SERT Team member
Sgt. Fran Stallard – Courtroom Security, certified dispatcher, fill-in civil clerk
Nikea Cornett – Part-time civil clerk/dispatcher
School Resource Officer Division
Sergeant Jeff Merilic – School Resource Officer, SERT Team member, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Hunter Safety Instructor and Master Deputy.
Sergeant Rhonda Halsey – Part-time School Resource Officer, General Instructor
Deputy Bobby Jones – Part-time School Resource Officer, D.A.R.E. instructor, Emergency Medical Technician and Hunter Safety instructor
Dean Horton – Part-time SRO, Retired VSP Sgt
Deputy Brandon Phillips – Reserve Officer
Brad Chambers – Communications Supervisor, Dispatcher, General Instructor, VCIN Instructor
Austin Haga – Dispatcher
Teresa Blevins – Dispatcher
Stephanie Young – Dispatcher
Dawn Jones – Part-time Dispatcher
Claire Circle – Part-time Dispatcher
WELLNESS PROGRAM – In January of 2018, Sheriff Vaughan implemented a mandatory physical fitness program for the law enforcement officers at the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement recruits in Virginia must complete a physical fitness examination prior to becoming certified officers but are rarely evaluated later during their careers. Sheriff Vaughan said that his officers will now be expected to maintain a certain level of fitness in order to be fit for duty. Law enforcement is one of the most stressful careers out there and Sheriff Vaughan wants to give his employees the tools they need to cope with stress and improve their overall health and wellness. The sheriff implemented a comprehensive wellness program based on extensive research and partnered with Twin County Health Regional Healthcare to eliminate any barriers to the program. Employees are given access to free health screenings and wellness classes provided by local doctors and nurses. They are also encouraged to set fitness goals and reevaluate them monthly when health care professionals come to the sheriff’s office to help track their progress.
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. The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has been providing a minimum of 160 hours of coverage per month since that time.
Fries Contract
| Contract Services | $36,000 |
Grant funds awarded for FY16-17
| DCJS – Domestic Violence | Investigator | $ 39,079 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer | $ 31,086 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer | $ 24,541 |
| DCJS – SRO | School Resource Officer | $ 31,086 |
| DMV Grant x3 | DUI and Speed | $ 18,800 |
| Total Awarded funds | $ 144,592 |