Annual Report
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
2020 Annual Report
This year has been challenging, to say the least. The pandemic has hit Grayson County hard, but we have been diligent. In addition to deputies responding to 3,914 calls for service, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office had a busy year in 2020 with 2,436 warrants served (408 criminal and 2,028 civil). The department recorded 55 felony charges in Investigations alone. Drug arrests were at 22 with a total of 153charges. Larceny and burglary arrests came to a combined total of 7.
Sheriff’s Office Drug Sniffing K-9 completed 7 searches last year, which included Independence Middle School, Grayson County High School and the CATE Center.
The department investigated or assisted with 108 traffic accidents, issued 176 traffic summons and issued 25 warnings. There were 25 DUI/DUID arrests made and 18 charges placed on felons in possession of firearms. Six search warrants were also executed. The department recovered stolen 6 vehicles.
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has also seen a dramatic increase with the number of cases that was 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 polygraphs. Grayson deputies served 207 Emergency Protective Orders in cases involving domestic violence. One of the most time-consuming assignments deputies completed in 2013 was the service of 56 Emergency Custody Orders with 27 resulting in 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. The average time spent on a TDO is 6 to 8 hours.
Courtesy and non-emergency services included:
Patrol deputies check the security of every business in the county every night – 9,228 closed business checks were conducted, and 18 open buildings were found, and 17 motorists were assisted. There were 108 incidents where deputies assisted fire departments and rescue squads
The Sheriff’s Office provided escorts to 4 funerals and Deputies performed additional patrols in areas of the county where citizens have identified a special need – a total of 2,824 requested patrols were completed in 2020.
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 11 patrol officers, including 2 Sergeants and 2 Corporals. There are 3 investigators, 4 dispatchers, 2 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, Rebel. 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.
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 Alan Graham – Court security, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor and SERT Team member
Fran Stallard – Courtroom Security, certified dispatcher, fill-in civil clerk
Investigator Sgt. Mico Davis – Domestic Violence Investigator, Criminal Investigator, GRACE team member for sexual assault and was recently accepted into the Forensics Academy
Investigator Sgt. Travis Jefferson – Criminal Investigator, SERT Team member and member of the Twin County Drug Task Force
Investigator Sgt. Cody McGrady – 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.
Corporal Seth Cutshall – Patrol Deputy
Corporal Brad Hawks – Patrol Deputy, and Field Training Officer
Corporal Jeremy Moss – Chief ACO, Patrol Deputy, K9 Handler
Deputy Chris Shaw– Patrol Deputy
Deputy Eric Jones – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Bradley Hoffman – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Jason Horner – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Cody Sharpe – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Steven Greer – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Jordan Rice – Animal Control Officer
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 – Part-time School Resource Officer, D.A.R.E. instructor, Emergency Medical Technician and Hunter Safety instructor
Deputy Brandon Phillips – School Resource Officer
Deputy Vernon Landreth – SRO, General Instructor, Chaplain, Church Security Instructor
Brenda Hawkins – Dispatcher
Austin Haga – Dispatcher
Teresa Blevins – Dispatcher
Brad Chambers – Dispatcher, General Instructor, VCIN Instructor
Kevin Hudson – Part-time Dispatcher
Dawn Jones – Part-time Dispatcher
Nikea Cornett – Part-time civil clerk/dispatcher
TRIAD – Grayson County Triad has been cancelled until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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 2019, Grayson deputies spent an average of 232 hours per month patrolling the Town of Fries.
Fries Contract
| Contract Services | $36,000 |
Grant funds awarded for FY19-20
| 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 overtime (road checks) new radar units, breath test kits and training, speed and occupant protection | $ 18,800 |
| Total Awarded funds | $ 144,592 |