Annual Report
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
2019 Annual Report
In addition to deputies responding to 7,745 calls for service, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office had a busy year in 2019 with 5,322 warrants served (900 criminal and 4,422 civil). The department answered 357 Animal Control calls in 2019. Also, recorded were 142 felony charges combined. Investigators placed 63 charges on drug offenders. Larceny and burglary charges came to a combined total of 13.
The Sheriff’s Office Drug Sniffing K-9, Rebel, completed 29 searches last year, which included checks within Grayson County Schools. The department investigated or assisted with 157 traffic accidents, issued 245 traffic summonses and issued 35 warnings. There were 21 DUI arrests made and 13 charges placed on felons in possession of firearms. The department recovered 9 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 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 35 search warrants while following up on criminal and drug investigations. Grayson deputies served 229 Emergency Protective Orders in cases involving domestic violence. One of the most time-consuming assignments deputies completed in 2019 was the service of 23 Emergency Custody Orders and 70 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. 10,087 closed business checks were conducted, and 15 open buildings were found. Deputies assisted 336 stranded motorists, which included jump-starts, lockouts, and changing spare tires.
Fire departments and rescue squads were assisted by patrol deputies in 208 incidents. The Sheriff’s Office provided traffic direction and escort services for 12 funerals. Deputies performed additional patrols in areas of the county where citizens have identified a special need. A total of 3,849 requested patrols were completed in 2019.
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 4 investigators, 4 dispatchers, 3 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 grants from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the collaboration of both the School Board and the Board of Supervisors, we have 6 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 2019, School Resource Officers received 960 calls for assistance from school personnel. They attended 40 school events, performed 94 law-related lectures, and gave 241 individuals crime prevention resources. SRO’s also had 11,580 juvenile contacts on issues involving bullying, school disruptions and tobacco use.
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 2019, Grayson deputies spent an average of 232 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.
Investigator Sgt. Bradley Brown– General Instructor, SERT Team member and Narcotics Investigator, sworn officer with the DEA, and member of the Twin County Drug Task Force
Investigator Sgt. Mico Davis – Domestic Violence Investigator, Criminal Investigator, GRACE team member for sexual assault
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.
Sergeant Doug Waller – Supervisor Patrol Team A, SERT Team, General Instructor and FTO
Sergeant Jason Carico – Supervisor Patrol Team B, SERT Team, FTO
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 Amber Miller – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Austin Anders – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Mark Collins – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Eric Jones – Patrol Deputy
Deputy Jordan Rice –
Deputy Holly Campbell – 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 – Part-time 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
Claire Circle – Dispatcher
Teresa Blevins – Dispatcher
Brad Chambers – Dispatcher, General Instructor, VCIN Instructor
Kevin Hudson – Part-time Dispatcher
Dawn Jones – Part-time Dispatcher
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 |
DUI overtime (road checks) new radar units, breath test kits and training |
$ 12,500 |
|
Total Awarded funds |
|
$ 138,292 |