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Virginia Sheriffs’ Association
The Voice of Virginia’s Sheriffs & Deputies

This month’s “Get to Know Your Sheriff” features Wythe County’s very own Sheriff Charles Foster. When Sheriff Foster began his role as Sheriff, he knew he wanted to make sure he and the sheriff’s office was involved with the community as much as possible. One way he is doing this is by regularly visiting and supporting children’s schools to play a positive role in the development of the next generation. 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!

Get to Know Your Sheriff – Sheriff Charles Foster, Wythe County.

What new initiatives do you plan to focus on?

I believe as a Sheriff you have to be readily accessible to the public. My door is always open.

What is something you would like to accomplish?

I plan to be involved with the community as much as possible. One way this can be achieved is by regularly visiting and supporting our children’s schools to play a positive role in the development of the next generation. I would also like to have community meetings for the citizens to address their concerns with the office and the county in general.

To what do you look forward most about your job?

Coming to work every day and serving the citizens of Wythe County. I am very humbled to be Sheriff.

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

I have been blessed to have had such great parents. My mother and father instilled in me a strong work ethic that I still carry today. They explained to me that I could have anything that I strived for if I gave an employer an honest day’s work.

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

Every day I look forward to coming to work to engage with my staff and the community. Wythe County is very supportive of its Sheriff’s Office. I am very proud of my office and the work we can achieve together. The people I work with are more than co-workers, they are family.

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

I love hunting and fishing as well as exercising as time allows.

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

Alan Jackson and George Jones

What is your favorite book?

The Holy Bible

What sports/teams do you root for?

My favorite sports teams are the George Wythe Maroons, Fort Chiswell Pioneers, and Rural Retreat Indians!

What drew you to law enforcement?

I have always been interested in helping and encouraging others. As a young man, I respected law enforcement officers and liked their professional demeanor and how they treated others. I knew that I wanted to be part of that team.

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

I have spent my entire career in public service as a member of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office.

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

If I could have a superpower, I would want the ability to heal the sick. I have been very fortunate in my life to have good health, but I’ve seen so many others suffer from illness.

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

Montana or the Bahamas

What are you most proud of?

Other than Wythe County placing its trust in me as Sheriff, it would be my wife and family. The members of my family have dedicated their lives to public service by becoming educators, prosecutors, or by working with patients one on one in the health care profession.

What’s your favorite movie genre?

Documentaries and Horror

What character trait do you most admire in others?

Honesty and Integrity

Sheriff Foster Bio

I have lived in Wythe County all my life. I am a graduate of George Wythe High School. At the age of eighteen, I began my career as a dispatcher. I then worked as a deputy in our county jail as well as on the road as a patrol sergeant. Later I was promoted to Investigator, First Sergeant over civil process, and eventually to Chief Deputy. In August of 2021, I was appointed Sheriff until a special election was held in November and the citizens of Wythe County elected me as their Sheriff. I have been involved in coaching both girls and boys basketball. I was an assistant scoutmaster for several years. I am currently President of Woodman Lodge #441 and a member of Wytheville Masonic Lodge #82. I am a member and adult Sunday School teacher at Rosenbaum Pentecostal Holiness Church.

 

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
September 2020 – City of Falls Church Sheriff Metin “Matt” Cay
November 2020 – Dinwiddie County Sheriff D.T. “Duck” Adams
December 2020 – Gloucester County Sheriff Darrell W. Warren, Jr.
January 2021 – City of Portsmouth Sheriff Michael A. Moore
February 2021- Dickenson County Sheriff Jeremy Fleming
March 2021 – Appomattox County Sheriff Donald Simpson
May 2021 – Bland County Sheriff Jason Ramsey
August 2021 – Wise County Sheriff Grant Kilgore
March 2022 – Prince George County Sheriff Buck Vargo
April 2022 – Bristol, Virginia Sheriff Tyrone Foster