On Tuesday, August 5, sheriffs’ offices across Virginia joined neighbors to celebrate the 42nd annual National Night Out. From city blocks to rural parks, the evening was packed with fun and connection: dunk tanks, wiffle ball games, deputy hats for kids, and even a “drunk goggle” obstacle course shared the spotlight with bounce houses, cookouts, and K9 demonstrations. Every gathering reflected its own local flavor, yet all shared the same purpose: building trust and strengthening the bond between sheriffs’ offices and the communities they serve.
“National Night Out is more than an event – it’s an opportunity to show our citizens that we are partners in creating a safe, connected, and thriving community,” said Petersburg Sheriff Vanessa R. Crawford. “By coming together in neighborhoods across the city, we strengthen trust, build relationships, and take an active stand for the kind of community we all want to live in.”
Here’s a look at how some of our member sheriffs’ offices across the Commonwealth brought their communities together for this special night:
Arlington County Sheriff’s Office
The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office proudly joined neighborhoods across Arlington for the 2025 National Night Out. Staff, including our furry K9s, enjoyed connecting with citizens of all ages, from sharing potlucks and popsicles to engaging in meaningful conversations. We are grateful to neighborhood groups, property managers, civic associations, churches, and public safety partners who welcomed us into more than 15 locations. Events like these remind us of the strong bonds that make Arlington such a vibrant and united community.
Bedford County Sheriff’s Office
Bedford County hosted a “Block Party” National Night Out event on August 5 at Runk and Pratt. The event promoted law enforcement partnerships and camaraderie with local communities. Attendees enjoyed free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks, a bouncy house for kids, and BCSO vehicle displays. The “Miss Virginia Volunteer” ladies participated, providing connections, opportunities, and a lasting impact for women across the state. We are grateful for their engagement. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office continually works with communities to make them safer and more caring places to live and work.
Bristol Virginia Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Foster and the Bristol Virginia Sheriff’s Office took part in National Night Out across Bristol with Beyond Housing of Bristol and Monarch Place. The events featured fun, food, and fellowship. In a friendly competition between the sheriff’s office, police, and fire departments, the Sheriff’s Office brought home the gold.
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office joined the community at Carroll County High School to celebrate National Night Out. The event featured giveaways, including a girls’ bike, a boys’ bike, and a tablet, as well as school supplies for nearly 500 children. It was a great evening of connection and support as families prepared for the new school year.
Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office
The Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office had a blast at National Night Out! More than 50 local civic organizations participated, showcasing their commitment to Culpeper. Our deputies served almost 1,000 hotdogs and hamburgers to community members. Events like these remind us of the importance of building strong relationships between law enforcement and the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing our efforts to make Culpeper County a safer and more caring place to live. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event!
Henry County Sheriff’s Office
Henry County’s National Night Out saw an awesome turnout on August 5 at the Monogram Foods Smith River Sports Complex. About 2,500 people joined us for an evening of fun and connection with local law enforcement. Activities for kids and adults included a dunk tank, bounce house, giant inflatable slide, drunk goggle course, drone demonstrations, a photo booth, and a YMCA Summer Bash. Approximately 35 non-profit vendors from Henry County and Martinsville set up booths sharing resources and free items. We gave away over 1,000 hotdogs, and everything was free for the public. A highlight was the Wiffle Ball competition between Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Martinsville Police Department, Martinsville Sheriff’s Office, and Virginia State Police. Henry County took home the win, much to the home crowd’s delight. People stayed for door prize drawings, chatting with deputies, and photos. It was a fun, relaxed night fostering positive community-law enforcement connections.
Hampton Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff K. E. Bowden and the Hampton Sheriff’s Office joined National Night Out at the Hampton Convention Center, creating a friendly, informal setting for community connection. We distributed over 50 Child Identification kits, along with coloring books, Junior Deputy stickers, puzzle books for adults, and Deputy Sheriff hats. The Hampton Sheriff’s Office remains committed to fostering safety and positive relationships within the community.
Henrico County Sheriff’s Office
The Henrico County Sheriff’s Office enjoyed meeting the thousands who turned out for the Dorey Park event and those in our neighborhoods. From recruiters to our Project Lifesaver Deputy and jail deputies, we shared information about our work every day. Events like these are invaluable for staying connected with Henrico’s citizens. We’re already looking forward to next year!
Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office
The Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office extends heartfelt appreciation to everyone who helped make this year’s National Night Out a huge success. From the vendors, sponsors, and donors to the dedicated volunteers and the many families who came out to enjoy the evening, the support meant the world to us. Generous sponsors and donors made the event possible, while community vendors and public safety partners provided activities, information, and giveaways. Volunteers gave their time and energy to ensure everything ran smoothly. Sheriff Arthur Townsend Jr. said, “National Night Out is more than an event, it’s a celebration of unity, trust, and the spirit of our community. Seeing our residents come together in such a positive way reminds us why we serve. I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve built and grateful for every person who helped make this evening a success. Thank you, Lunenburg, let’s keep building a safer, stronger community together.”
Norfolk Sheriff’s Office
The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office joined the Norfolk Police Department and community partners for National Night Out in the historic Huntersville section of Norfolk. The community came together to stand up against crime. Attendees enjoyed remarks from elected officials, music by a local DJ, a wide variety of vendors, a mechanical bull, Nintendo gaming station, food from Mission BBQ, popcorn, and more.
Petersburg Sheriff’s Office
Neighborhoods across Petersburg came alive on August 5 with celebration, connection, and community spirit during National Night Out. Events were held at locations including Pleasant Lane Elementary, the Halifax Street “Block Party” with Metropolitan Baptist Church and the Masonic Temple, Good Shepherd Baptist Church, the Camelot neighborhood, and more. Each gathering gave residents a chance to meet law enforcement officers, city officials, and community partners in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. The Petersburg Sheriff’s Office partnered with community groups, churches, and agencies to provide safety resources, crime prevention tips, and open conversations. The Petersburg Sheriff’s Office remains committed to year-round community engagement and encourages residents to build strong ties with neighbors and local public safety agencies.
Russell County Sheriff’s Office
On August 5, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office joined with the Lebanon Police Department, District 17 Probation and Parole, Lebanon Lifesaving Crew, Cleveland Lifesaving Crew, Honaker Fire Department, Virginia Conservation Police, and other community partners to host National Night Out in Lebanon. The event featured school supply giveaways, hot dogs, chips, drinks, desserts, games, a live DJ, splash pad, gifts, a K-9 demonstration, EMS and fire displays, popcorn, cotton candy, and more – all providing opportunities for law enforcement to connect with the community. Sheriff Watson stated, “The Russell County Sheriff’s Office is committed to establishing a sincere bond between our agency and the community. We are guardians of the community and events like this help to maintain our relationship with the citizens we serve.”
Salem Sheriff’s Office
The Salem Sheriff’s Office celebrated National Night Out at the Salem Red Sox’s Carilion Clinic Field on August 5, 2025. Sheriff Shelor, Major Garber, Captain Branson, Lieutenant Herndon, and Sergeant Adkins were on hand to greet attendees and enjoy the evening with the community. Major Garber’s son, Evan, and Lieutenant Herndon’s son, Sayge, joined in the fun, making the event a true family affair. The night ended on a high note as the Red Sox edged out the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers with a 3–2 win.
Suffolk Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff David D. Miles and the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office were excited to participate in Suffolk’s National Night Out celebrations. Teams set up at three major locations and toured more than 30 local community sites. At each stop, our team hosted carnival-style games, handed out goodies and prizes, and played with the bubble machine. We loved hanging out with each community and getting to know one another. Special “deputy hats” were given to some lucky citizens. Overall, we had a blast celebrating our great city with several thousand friends. Now the countdown begins for National Night Out 2026!
Surry County Sheriff’s Office
The Surry County Sheriff’s Office took part in National Night Out, and it was such a great evening! Several vendors handed out school supplies to families and shared helpful information with citizens. There was plenty of good food, fun games (including bounce houses), and music. The biggest crowd-pleaser was when Sheriff Turner got in the dunk tank: definitely a highlight! It was a wonderful time connecting with the community and making memories together.
Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office
The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office visited several neighborhoods on National Night Out, proudly representing VBSO and interacting with residents citywide. The positive feedback reflects our team’s efforts and the strong relationships we continue to build. VBSO also offered Child ID photos and fingerprinting at Green Run/Timberlake, where more than 40 children received Child IDs.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was proud to participate in this wonderful community event. From vehicle displays and K-9 demonstrations to providing Child ID kits and showcasing our Search and Rescue Team, the night was full of connection, education, and fun.
Winchester City Sheriff’s Office
The Winchester City Sheriff’s Office joined the community on the downtown mall for National Night Out, where deputies served up nearly 400 snow cones to attendees. Student interns Abby and Halston kept the machine running and flavors flowing, while visitors stopped for photos with Sheriff Milholland and his deputies. The event brought together local businesses, government agencies, and neighbors for an evening of connection, good food, and cool treats. The Winchester Police Department kept the grills hot, ensuring plenty to eat for all. It was a great night of fellowship, with thanks to all the families and community members who came out to celebrate.
Across the Commonwealth, National Night Out 2025 showcased the power of community and partnership. While we’ve highlighted a handful of sheriffs’ offices and communities, many others joined with the same spirit and commitment. These gatherings remind us that when neighbors and law enforcement come together, we build safer, stronger, and more connected places to live. Sharing these stories celebrates the dedication of Virginia’s sheriffs and the communities they serve.
