Franklin County Sheriff’s Office holds reaccreditation ceremony

On Friday, April 6th, at Ferrum College, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office celebrated their reaccreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC).

Initially accredited 4 years ago, this ceremony was to acknowledge our office has met the requirements for holding this prestigious certification another 4 years. VLEPSC, a division of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, requires accredited agencies to meet several hundred standards and proofs. You can check out the VLEPSC website for a complete review of requirements and a listing of certified agencies, www.dcjs.virginia.gov/law-enforcement/programs/vlepsc.

The ceremony was opened with an invocation by Deputy Joe Wooldridge. FCHS student McKenna Hamrick rendered a great rendition of our National Anthem and Major Mike Bowman spoke on behalf of the Office of the Sheriff. Special guest speakers were Delegate Charles Poindexter, Senator Bill Stanley, Franklin County Commonwealth’s Attorney A. J. Dudley, Franklin Circuit Court Judge Clyde Perdue and Franklin County Administrator Brent Robertson.

Thanks to the great staff and administration of Ferrum College for being our host site. What a great venue and wonderful group of folks to work with.

NOTE: Sheriff Bill Overton was called away on a family emergency just moments before the start of this ceremony and was unable to attend. The entire office, all dignitaries in attendance and guests, held a moment of silent prayer for Sheriff Overton and his family. We missed our sheriff today very much. His vision, going back nearly 30 years, was for FCSO to be accredited.