Annual Report

Grayson County Sheriff’s Office

2018 Annual Report

In addition to deputies responding to 7,943 calls for service, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office had a busy year in 2018 with 5,840 warrants served (1,072 criminal and 4,768 civil).  The department answered 435 Animal Control calls in 2018.  Also, recorded were 142 felony charges combined.  Investigators placed 95 charges on drug offenders.  Larceny and burglary charges came to a combined total of 18.

The Sheriff’s Office Drug Sniffing K-9, Gauge, completed 41 searches last year, which included checks within Grayson County Schools.  The department investigated or assisted with 86 traffic accidents, issued 381 traffic summonses and issued 29 warnings. There were 27 DUI arrests made and 11 charges placed on felons in possession of firearms. The department recovered 7stolen 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 U.S. Marshals Service, 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 executed 40 search warrants while following up on criminal and drug investigations. Grayson deputies served 209 Emergency Protective Orders in cases involving domestic violence. One of the most time-consuming assignments deputies completed in 2018 was the service of 7 Emergency Custody Orders with 91 cases resulting in Temporary Detention Orders (TDO’s) with 41 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 night.         8,450 closed business checks were conducted, and 25 open buildings were found. Deputies assisted 375 stranded motorists, which included jump-starts, lock-outs, and changing spare tires.

Fire departments and rescue squads were assisted by patrol deputies in 172 incidents.  The Sheriff’s Office provided traffic direction and escort services for 25 funerals.  Deputies performed additional patrols in areas of the county where citizens have identified a special need.  A total of 2,096 requested patrols were completed in 2018.

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, 5 dispatchers, 2 courtroom security officers, one civil officer and 5 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 5 School Resource Officer’s inside Grayson County Schools.  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 2018, School Resource Officers received 1,025 calls for assistance from school personnel.  They attended 50 school events, performed 19 law-related lectures, and gave 396 individuals crime prevention resources.  SRO’s also had 5,299 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. 

TRIAD – The Grayson County TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors And Law Enforcement Together) Council is a concept in action and means a three-way commitment among the chiefs of police, sheriff and older or retired leaders in a city, county or town.  They agree to work together to reduce the criminal victimization of the elderly and enhance the delivery of law enforcement services to older persons.  A major purpose of TRIAD is to develop, expand and implement effective crime prevention and education programs for older community members.  Activities center on both pre-victimization (preventative) and post-victimization (victim/witness assistance) aspects.  The Grayson County TRIAD is working to improve the quality of life for seniors.  By providing an opportunity for the exchange of information between law enforcement and older persons, TRIAD can also focus on reducing unwarranted fear of crime.

WELNESS 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 tested later during their careers.  Sheriff Vaughan stated 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.

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 2018, Grayson deputies spent an average of 226 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, 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 Sgt. Bradley Brown– 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 Sgt. Mico Davis – Criminal Investigator, GRACE team member for sexual assault

Investigator Sgt. Travis Jefferson – Criminal Investigator, SERT Team member

Lieutenant Todd Perkins – Supervises the Patrol Division.  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.

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

Sergeant Jason Carico – Supervisor Patrol Team B, SERT Team, FTO

Corporal Cody McGrady – Patrol Deputy, SERT Team

Corporal Brad Hawks – Patrol Deputy, and Field Training Officer

Corporal Jeremy Moss – Chief ACO, Patrol Deputy Corporal

Deputy Drew McCraw – Patrol Deputy

Deputy Seth Cutshall – Patrol Deputy

Deputy Austin Anders – Patrol Deputy

Deputy Mark Collins – Patrol Deputy

Deputy Eric Jones – 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 Instructor and Master Deputy.

Sergeant Rhonda Halsey – School Resource Officer, D.A.R.E. instructor, Sexual Assault Investigator, GRACE team members, 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

Deputy Mitchell Lineberry – Animal Control Officer

Deputy Vernon Landreth – SRO, General Instructor, Chaplain, Church Security Instructor

Brenda Hawkins – Dispatcher

Amber Flowers Miller – Dispatcher

Teresa Blevins – Dispatcher

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

Kevin Hudson – Part-time Dispatcher

Dawn Jones – Part-time Dispatcher

Sam Adams – Part-time Dispatcher

Adam Sizemore – Part-time Dispatcher