Virginia Deputy Sheriffs and Sheriffs gathered in Richmond on Tuesday, February 18 and Wednesday, February 19, for the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Sheriffs to meet and discuss issues with their legislators. From across the Commonwealth, deputy sheriffs and sheriffs took time to meet with their legislators and discuss critical criminal justice issues impacting the work of sheriffs and deputy sheriffs each and every day.
Every Virginian has a sheriff. Sheriffs, deputies and staff are on the cutting edge of law enforcement, court services, jail administration and mental health issues. Sheriffs are the only elected law enforcement official in each locality; they serve as the primary law enforcement agency in 86 counties across Virginia.
Sheriffs are responsible for running all local jails and several of the regional jails in Virginia with a local inmate average daily population of 28,000 inmates. Sheriffs are responsible for the service of over 3 million processes over year in addition to providing security for our judges and courts, keeping citizens safe during the judicial process.
In addition to Legislative Visits, VSA deputies and sheriffs were recognized on the Floor of the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia by Senator Mark Obenshain and Delegate Todd Gilbert.
Our thanks to everyone who made this year’s events a success; you may view video and photos from Tuesday evening’s reception and Wednesday’s Day Sheriffs & Deputy Sheriffs Day at the Capitol here.