For the month of September, we are excited to introduce to you the City of Falls Church Sheriff Cay. Prior to his position as Sheriff, Sheriff Cay was a police officer in the same jurisdiction. He also previously practiced law in Virginia.
Sheriff Cay most admires the character traits of selflessness, compassion and commitment, which clearly show in his work. When asked what superpower he would like to possess, Sheriff Cay said, “I would like to have the ability to provide access to education, health care, career choices, and other opportunities and benefits for all members of our society.”
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 – City of Falls Church Sheriff Cay
- What new initiatives do you plan to focus on?
The new initiatives I plan on focusing on include increasing the level of crisis intervention, de-escalation and alternate enforcement awareness and training provided to our deputies. This approach will also include an increase in all areas of training required in our operations to maximize competency and to optimize the abilities of all members of our agency. - How has COVID-19 impacted you, your office, and your work?
COVID-19 impacts essentially every aspect of our operations and the implementation of our duties. However, maintaining a constant vigilance and awareness and the implementation of current best-practices including the recommendations and protocols of our community partners permits us to effectively address this challenging situation. Input from our surrounding jurisdictions, including affiliated law enforcement, government agencies, and health departments, permits us to maximize the safety to our personnel as well as to the members of the public with whom we interact and serve. - In light of the social unrest across Virginia and the nation, how can the sheriff’s office and law enforcement as a whole work to build trust among their communities?
I look forward to a greater and more effective interaction, engagement, transparency and outreach to all the members of our community and to embrace and foster accountability in our agency in particular and in law enforcement in general with the goal of building greater trust within the community and fostering the expansion of that essential partnership. - To what do you look forward most about your job?
I also look forward to utilizing my position to more effectively implement our policies and practices of progressive and inclusive law enforcement as well as to eliminate any vestige of the archaic aspects of law enforcement which alienate and distance the public as well as isolate our personnel. - Who have been mentors and/or role models in your life/career?
I have been fortunate in having many mentors and role models in my life and my careers, including sheriffs, police chiefs, judges, attorneys, friends, family and co-workers with whom I have had the privilege to know on a professional and personal basis. I have also learned many of my most important life lessons from the expressions of wisdom and the observations of the many members of the public with whom I have interacted under a variety of circumstances over the years. I sincerely believe that every person has the ability to enrich the lives of others. - What do you enjoy doing in your time away from work?
Away from work, I enjoy spending time and engaging in activities with my family and friends, motorcycle riding and road trips. - What are some of your favorite songs on your music playlist?
I enjoy listening to all music in general, but if I was asked to pick one artist, I would say that I like any song from the band Coldplay. - What is your favorite book?
My favorite books include novels by John Le Carre and Frederick Forsyth. - What drew you to law enforcement?
I was drawn to law enforcement by the ability of the profession to positively assist members of the community and the public generally in a timely, immediate, meaningful and significant manner. - What did you do before being elected to the office of sheriff?
Prior to my position as Sheriff, I was a police officer in the same jurisdiction. I also previously practiced law in Virginia. - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would like to have the ability to provide access to education, health care, career choices, and other opportunities and benefits for all members of our society. - What character trait do you most admire in others?
I admire the traits of selflessness, compassion and commitment.
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
June 2020- Rapphahannock County Sheriff Connie Compton
July 2020- Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons