Get to Know Your Sheriff – R W “Buck” Vargo – Prince George Sheriff’s Office

We are kicking off the 2022 series of “Get to Know Your Sheriff”! For the month of March, we are excited to introduce to you Prince George County Sheriff R W “Buck” Vargo. We asked him to give us insight into his career as well as what inspires him outside of law enforcement.

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 Sheriffs – Sheriff Buck Vargo – Prince George County Sheriff’s Office

What new initiatives do you plan to focus on?

There are several areas in which I plan on making new initiatives.  I would like to see the Sheriff’s Department and Deputies be more involved within the community.  I would also like to start a scholarship through the Sheriff’s Office. This would not just be in the area of law enforcement, but also within the medical field, political sciences and further education opportunities.

In light of various challenges, especially the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, how can the sheriff’s office and law enforcement as a whole work to build trust among their communities?

Our Sheriff’s Office has a great working relationship with our local Health Department.  Our office has the highest concern for public health safety and will fully support the health department when they make drive through COVID-19 testing clinics and vaccination locations within our jurisdiction.

What is something you would like to accomplish?

A major goal I would like to accomplish is getting the Prince George Sheriff’s Office accredited through the state of Virginia. Both of my predecessors (Sheriff Donald Hunter and Sheriff Bucky Allin) worked very hard in laying the groundwork for this success.

To what do you look forward most about your job?

I enjoy coming to work every day and working with my fellow deputies and all the personnel that make up the courthouse work force.  But most of all I truly enjoy working for the citizens of Prince George County.

Who have been mentors and/or role models in your life/career?

My role models in my life have been both of my parents and a retired Captain with Prince George Sheriff’s Office. My dad had the mindset of always try to do the job right the first time so there wouldn’t be any mistakes to correct while my mother would push to treat others as you would want them to treat you.  Within my career, Retired Captain Mauger was who I learned just about everything from through our extensive career together dating back all the way from when we worked together at Prince George County Police Department and then Prince George Sheriff’s Office.

What energizes and inspires you to continue to dedicate yourself to your work, protecting and serving your community?

I’m genuinely inspired each day by the people I work with and by our citizens in Prince George County.

 What do you enjoy doing in your time away from work?

On my off time, I enjoy fishing, watching sports with my daughter when she is home from grad school.  I also enjoy the trips my wife and I take to visit my daughter while she is in school.

 What are some of your favorite songs on your music playlist?

The music I enjoy listening to is anything by the Eagles, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, all music from the 70” and old country music.

What is your favorite book?

I don’t have a specific book but I do enjoy reading about sports.

 What sports/teams do you root for?

I always root for the New York Yankees, UNC Basketball and several different NFL teams.

What drew you to law enforcement?

What drew me to law enforcement was how I was raised.  When I was a kid growing up in this county, I was always taught to respect law enforcement.  Some of my friend’s fathers were police officers.  Talking with them and listening to all their stories from the field made me interested in the career.

What did you do before being elected to the office of sheriff?

Before being elected as Prince George County Sheriff, I was the Chief Deputy for Sheriff H. E. Allin in our department.

 If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to foresee the future so I could make the path for someone else’s future.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?

If I could visit anywhere in the world, I would visit my ancestor’s homeland of Czech Republic

What are you most proud of?

What I am so very proud of is all of my accomplishments through the years that have made me who I am today.  I am also proud of my daughter who is creating her own successful path in grad school getting her doctrine in physical therapy.

What’s your favorite movie genre?

When it comes to movies, I enjoy both drama and comedy.

What character trait do you most admire in others?

Traits I admire in others is having a great outgoing personality, their own sense of character and candor.

Sheriff Buck Vargo Biography

I was born and raised in Prince George County and graduated from Prince George High School in 1980.  I am married and have a daughter.  I have been in the law enforcement career for the last 35 years, all with Prince George County (both police and sheriff). I also currently work for J.T. Morriss Funeral Home and have been working there for 36 years. I am a member of the Sons of The American Legion Post 146 and a past member of the Prince George Emergency Crew.  For 29 years, I have been a member of the Newville United Methodist Church.