For the month of June, we are delighted to introduce to you Rapphahannock County Sheriff Connie Compton. Sheriff Compton took office as Sheriff of Rapphahannock County on January 1, 2008, exactly twenty years after she started working at Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Compton’s dedication and determination are commendable, and we hope you enjoy reading her insights into her personal and professional life.
When asked what advice she would give to other women pursuing careers in criminal justice (or any career, for that matter), Sheriff Compton replied, “Never give up and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. As long as you give your best, you will never fail.”
If you’ve missed previous introductions of our Virginia Sheriffs, links to these posts may be found at the bottom of this page. We hope you will come to know and appreciate these individuals as much as we do! Our Sheriff introductions may also be found on our Facebook page, along with other interesting news items about our member sheriffs!
Get to Know Your Virginia Sheriffs – Rapphahannock County Sheriff Connie Compton
- On what new initiatives are you working?
Currently, we are working on updating the 911 center, hiring more communications officers, and getting new equipment for the Patrol Deputies. - How has COVID-19 impacted you, your office, your work?
We had to change the way we interact with people; we had to change our response guidelines and try to keep everyone safe and free of the virus. We are trying to keep our communications office clean and sanitized. - What do you like most about your job?
I love that my job allows me to help people in need and enables me to be a role model for young people growing up. - Who have been mentors and/or role models in your life/career?
My role model/mentor came a little after I started my career. I was the first female patrol deputy in Rappahannock County. I was always told that I never had to prove anything. Yeah right…I had to prove myself at every obstacle thrown at me. It seemed like at one point in my career I could not do anything right even though I was out handling calls for service, arresting more DUI’s, and making more arrest than other deputies. At one point, things got so bad that I was thinking of moving on and starting a career in firefighting. I decided to continue my career in law enforcement, and I am so glad that I did. There are a couple of people in my career who shaped me into who I am today, but the one I look up to the most is Colonel Gary Settle with the Virginia State Police. I have known Colonel Settle for a very long time. He was also known as Sheriff Settle for a couple of years. I was so proud to work for a man of his caliber. I strove to work hard and to be recognized by him for my hard work. I still have notes that he would put on my files recognizing me for my hard work. Colonel Settle, I want to say THANK YOU for shaping me into the Sheriff that I am today. - What do you enjoy doing in your time away from work?
When I am away from work, I enjoy coaching at our local schools, hanging out with my family, and working out and exercising. - What are some of your favorite songs on your music playlist?
My favorite songs are Humble & Kind, Champion, How Great Thou Art, There was Jesus, and Till I Collapse. - What is your favorite book?
I’m not much of a reader. - What sports/teams do you root for?
I root for the Washington Nationals and The Mystics. - What drew you to law enforcement?
I wanted to be a cop ever since I was a little girl. When I was around 7 years old, I had a police pedal car. I used to pedal it down our driveway. When I was 16, we had Career Day at our school. I met a female Trooper by the name of Wanda Gail Moore (I never forgot her name). I thought it was so cool for her to be a female Trooper. I wanted to be a Virginia State Trooper, but you had to be 21 and have a college degree. Of course, I graduated from High School but didn’t have the money for college. I started working at Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office as a Communications/Corrections Officer in January 1988. I Dispatched and worked the Jail. I was promoted to Civil Process/Patrol Deputy in January of 1990 and graduated from Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy in December 1990. I loved my job and strove to do it better than anyone else. I continued to work at RCSO and eventually was promoted to Lieutenant/Investigator. In 2007, I threw my name in the hat and ran for Sheriff. I won that Election and took office January 01, 2008, twenty years to the day that I started working at Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office. - What did you do before elected to the office of sheriff?
I was a Deputy/Investigator prior to being elected Sheriff. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would want to foresee the future, so that I could save people from bad things happening to them. - If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
If I could go anywhere, I would like to go on a tour of Europe. - What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of becoming the first female patrol deputy, first female investigator, and first female Sheriff in the history of Rappahannock County. - What’s your favorite movie genre?
My favorite movies are the Top Gun & G.I. Jane series. - What character do you most admire in others?
Honesty, no matter what. - Do you have any words of wisdom for other women in law enforcement?
Always do your best no matter what you are doing. Set your goals high and go after them. Never give up and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. As long as you give your best, you will never fail. My favorite Action Hero is Wonder Woman. I love her quote “ I Fight for Those Who Cannot Fight for Themselves”. Always stand up and fight for what is right no matter what.
Sheriff Connie Compton Biography
Connie S. Compton was born and raised in Rappahannock County. Connie attended and graduated from Rappahannock County High School in 1985. In high school, Compton excelled in sports. To this day, she continues many of the friendships she created through sports programs. After graduating, Compton became a Dispatcher Matron in 1988. After serving the role as Dispatcher Matron, she was promoted to patrol in 1990. This promotion made her the first ever female patrol deputy in the history of Rappahannock County. Compton was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2001 and also became the first ever female investigator in the county’s history. Promoted again in 2003 to the rank of Lieutenant, Compton still remained the only female investigator. Compton became the first female Sheriff of Rappahannock County in 2008. She currently uses her position as Sheriff to mentor as many young children as possible. Her love for sports has only grown over the years and she proudly serves as a coach at the local high school.
Getting to Know Your Virginia Sheriffs Archives
May 2019 – Alleghany County Sheriff Kevin Hall
June 2019 – Northampton County Sheriff David Doughty
July 2019 – Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl S. Leonard
August 2019 – Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman
September 2019 – Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland
October 2019 – Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid
November 2019 – City of Richmond Sheriff Dr. Antionette Irving
December 2019 – City of Salem Sheriff April Staton
January 2020 – City of Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts
February 2020 – Lunenburg County Sheriff Arthur Townsend