Annual Report

Grayson County Sheriff’s Office

2017 Annual Report

In addition to deputies responding to 8,403 calls for service, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office had a busy year in 2017 with 5,681 warrants served (1,270 criminal and 4,411 civil).  The department answered 417 Animal Control calls in 2017.  Also, recorded were 118 felony charges combined.  Investigators placed 81 charges on drug offenders.  Larceny and burglary charges came to a combined total of 21.

The Sheriff’s Office Drug Sniffing K-9, Gauge, completed 225 searches last year, which included checks within Grayson County Schools.  The department investigated or assisted with 173 traffic accidents, issued 404 traffic summonses and issued 45 warnings. There were 43 DUI arrests made and 6 charges placed on felons in possession of firearms, and 7 search warrants were also executed. The department recovered 10 stolen vehicles.

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has also seen a dramatic increase with the number of cases that were 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, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Grayson County Investigators requested the Virginia State Police to administer 2 polygraphs.  Grayson deputies served 170 Emergency Protective Orders in cases involving domestic violence. One of the most time-consuming assignments deputies completed in 2017 was the service of 62 Emergency Custody Orders with 54 cases resulting in Temporary Detention Orders (TDO’s) with 33 requiring transport. When a mental evaluation is completed and a TDO is issued, deputies must transport patients to St. Albans Psychiatric Hospital in Radford, Southwestern Mental Health in Marion, Staunton or Petersburg.  The average time spent on a TDO is 6 to 8 hours.

Courtesy and non-emergency services included:

Patrol deputies make an effort to check the security of every business in the county each day.  Closed business checks were conducted and 26 open buildings were found.  Deputies assisted 377 stranded motorists, which included jump-starts, lock-outs, and changing spare tires.

Fire departments and rescue squads were assisted by patrol deputies in 214 incidents.  The Sheriff’s Office provided traffic direction and escort services for 20 funerals.  Deputies performed additional patrols in areas of the county where citizens have identified a special need.  A total of 2,924 requested patrols were completed in 2017.

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 12 patrol officers, including a Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants and 2 Corporals. There are 3 investigators, one Crime Prevention Specialist, 4 dispatchers, 2 courtroom security officers, one civil officer and 6 School Resource Officers. One civil clerk and one administrative secretary are also employed at the Sheriff’s office. The department has a drug detecting canine, Gauge. All sworn personnel and dispatchers are first responders, trained in CPR and first aid and have a National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification.  Two personnel, including the Sheriff, have completed advanced Crime Scene Investigation training at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy in Richmond.

Thanks to a grant from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the collaboration of both the School Board and the Board of Supervisors, we have a School Resource Officer in every school.  The School Resource Officer Program places a law enforcement officer in a school full-time to provide a variety of support programs and services to the students and staff. The overall goals of the program are to maintain a safe and secure learning environment on the school campus, influence the development of positive attitudes by youth towards the law enforcement community, and to reduce juvenile crime through the use of intervention strategies, proactive policing, and networking.  In 2017, School Resource Officers received 303 calls for assistance from school personnel.  They attended 49 school events, performed 24 law-related lectures, and gave 786 individuals crime prevention resources.  SRO’s also had 3,816 juvenile contacts on issues involving bullying, school disruptions and tobacco use.   

Funding available from a Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) grant, allowed the Sheriff’s Office to transfer Sergeant Carner from Investigations into a full-time Crime Prevention Officer position.  Carner obtained his certification as a Crime Prevention Specialist from DCJS and oversees the programs that help us to take a more proactive approach to crime in our communities.  He presents safety information to newly licensed drivers, coordinates community watch groups, and conducts security assessments for banks, businesses, and homeowners.

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 since that time.  In 2017, Grayson deputies spent an average of 212 hours per month patrolling the Town of Fries.

Chief Deputy David Ashby – Supervises the Criminal Investigations Division, handles all evidence, coordinates training for the staff, keeps deputies supplied with uniforms and equipment, and manages the fleet of vehicles.  Chief Ashby is also a Forensic Science Academy graduate, Hostage Negotiator, and a General Instructor.

Karen Smith Administrative Assistant – Performs office related duties, is a certified dispatcher, and coordinates the TRIAD program for Senior Citizens and other community events.

Lieutenant Darren Barrett– Supervises the Civil Division and Courtroom Security Operations.  Lt. Barrett also serves civil papers on a daily basis.

Sergeant Charles Kinzer – Courtroom Security

Sergeant Alan Graham – Court security, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor and SERT Team member

Fran Stallard – Courtroom Security, certified dispatcher, fill-in civil clerk

Susan Dolinger – Civil Clerk responsible for logging in all court issued criminal and civil papers and greets the pubic as they enter the office.

Sergeant Doug Carner – Certified Crime Prevention Specialist and supervisor of the School Resource Division.  He conducts security assessments, coordinates community watch groups, compiles grants, and assists the investigations division as needed.  Carner is a Hostage Negotiator, General Instructor, and is assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Investigator Cpl. Adam Horton – Narcotics Investigator, sworn with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Specialized Entry and Response Team (SERT) member, and Field Training Officer. He is a member of the Twin County Drug Task Force and is deputized with the US Marshals Service.

Investigator Cpl. Bradley Brown– Awarded 2010 Officer of the Year by the Galax Elks Lodge, General Instructor, SERT Team member and Narcotics Investigator, sworn officer with the DEA, full time task force officer with ATF, and member of the Twin County Drug Task Force

Investigator Cpl. Mico Davis – Criminal Investigator, GRACE team member for sexual assault

Lieutenant Todd Perkins – Supervises the Patrol Division.  Lt. Perkins in an Intermediate Level Emergency Medical Technician and was honored with the 2010 Regional award for Outstanding EMT.  He is also a General Instructor and is deputized with the US Marshals Service.  He also serves on the Virginia Search and Rescue Council.

Sergeant Doug Waller – Supervisor Patrol Team A, SERT Team, General Instructor and FTO

Sergeant Travis Jefferson – Supervisor, General Instructor

Corporal Cody McGrady – Patrol Deputy, SERT Team

Corporal Jason Carico – Patrol Deputy, SERT Team

Deputy Jordan Johnson – Patrol Deputy, K9 Handler for Gauge

Deputy Drew McCraw – Patrol Deputy

Deputy Brad Hawks – Patrol Deputy

Deputy Jeremy Moss – Chief ACO, Patrol Deputy

Deputy Ryan Gravely – Patrol Deputy, ACO

Deputy Seth Cutshall – Patrol Deputy, ACO

Deputy Austin Anders – Patrol Deputy

Deputy Mark Collins – Patrol Deputy

Lieutenant Gary Hash – SRO Division Supervisor, Communications Supervisor, Certified Dispatcher and D.A.R.E. Instructor, and is also a General Instructor.

Sergeant Jeff Merilic – School Resource Officer, SERT Team member, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Hunter Safety and Master Deputy.

Sergeant Rhonda Halsey – School Resource Officer, D.A.R.E. instructor, Sexual Assault Investigator, Hostage Negotiator, General Instructor and Master Deputy

Deputy Bobby Jones – School Resource Officer, D.A.R.E. instructor, Emergency Medical Technician and Hunter Safety instructor

Deputy Brandon Phillips – School Resource Officer

Jason Hawks – School Resource Officer

Deputy Vernon Landreth – School Resource Officer

Deputy Kevin Watson – Reserve Deputy

Brenda Hawkins – Dispatcher

Ron Hoffman – Dispatcher

Brad Chambers – Dispatcher and General Instructor, part-time ACO

Justin Wooten – Dispatcher, vehicle and radio technician

Amber Miller – Dispatcher