During the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) Annual Meeting held on September 17, 2025, Senator L. Louise Lucas officiated the swearing-in ceremony for VSA’s newly elected officers. The event marked the beginning of a new term for VSA leadership, with City of Richmond Sheriff Antionette V. Irving assuming the position of President.
“I am deeply honored to lead the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association during this pivotal moment,” said Sheriff Irving. “Truly, it’s the shared dedication of each sheriff across our Commonwealth that empowers meaningful progress. My goal is to foster collaboration, elevate professional development, and ensure that every deputy – regardless of rank or job duties – knows their service is valued. Together, we’ll lift Virginia law enforcement to higher standards with mutual respect and accountability at the heart of our mission.”
The 2025-2026 VSA Board represents a dedicated group of sheriffs from multiple regions across the Commonwealth. Among them are Sheriff B.C. “Chip” Shuler from Smyth County as First Vice President, Sheriff Steven N. Creasey from Goochland County as Second Vice President, Sheriff Carlos Turner from Surry County as Secretary, and Sheriff Joe Baron from the City of Norfolk as Treasurer. The board also includes regional directors from all areas of Virginia, ensuring comprehensive representation across Virginia’s localities.
The following sheriffs were elected to the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Board of Directors as officers and members of the board:
2025-26 VSA Officers
President: Sheriff Antionette V. Irving, City of Richmond
Immediate Past President: Sheriff Brad W. Nunnally, Powhatan County
Past President: Sheriff Darrell W. Warren, Jr., Gloucester County
Past President: Sheriff Fred S. Clark, Halifax County
Past President: Sheriff Vanessa R. Crawford, City of Petersburg
1st Vice President: Sheriff B. C. “Chip” Shuler, Smyth County
2nd Vice President: Sheriff Steven N. Creasey, Goochland County
Secretary: Sheriff Carlos Turner, Surry County
Treasurer: Sheriff Joe Baron, City of Norfolk
Legislative Committee Chairman: Sheriff Arthur Townsend, Jr., Lunenburg County
2025-26 VSA Regional Directors, as Board of Directors members
Region I: Sheriff Jeff B. Edds, Scott County
Region II: Sheriff Wayne Davis, Henry County
Region III: Sheriff W. Morgan Millirons, Giles County
Region IV: Sheriff Donald A. Lowe, Louisa County
Region V: Sheriff Jeremy A. Falls, Fauquier County
Region VI: Sheriff Jose Quiroz, Arlington County
Region VII Sheriff William R. “Rob” Balderson, King & Queen County
Region VIII: Sheriff Lee S. Bailey, New Kent County
Region IX: Sheriff Travis L. Stanley, City of Hopewell
Region X Sheriff David J. Hardin, Williamsburg – James City County
Sheriff Antionette V. Irving
On January 1, 2018, Dr. Antionette V. Irving became Sheriff of the City of Richmond facilitating one of the largest Sheriff’s Offices in the Commonwealth, to include over 450 sworn and civilian staff members.
Sheriff Irving is a proud native of the City of Richmond and a product of Richmond Public Schools where she learned the values of respect and discipline that have served her throughout her career. Growing up a child of substance abuse and domestic violence in the Church Hill area of Richmond to include the city’s Creighton Court public housing project, she viewed life with no obstacles or boundaries. A graduate of Armstrong-Kennedy High School, her strong work ethic drove her to become a basketball standout, eventually being named to both the Armstrong-Kennedy High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Shaw University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Sheriff Irving enjoyed a 26+ year career in the Henrico Sheriff’s Office and was the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Major in either the Henrico Sheriff’s Office or Police Department. Her leadership and vision encompass organizational management, fiscal administration, human resources development, conflict and dispute resolution, mediation, and community relations. Sheriff Irving’s focus is on establishing a culture of excellence at the Richmond City Sheriff’s Office by focusing on the professional development of the staff, establishing strong community partnerships, and equipping residents of the Richmond City Justice Center with the resources they need to prepare themselves for successful reentry into society.
Sheriff Irving is a committed mentor, civic leader, and philanthropist in the City of Richmond. She volunteers within the community, as well as with the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church and Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club/Red Shield Youth Center. Having experienced domestic violence and substance abuse in her own childhood, Sheriff Irving is a strong proponent of education and youth development. She strives to encourage young people to develop strong values, self-esteem, self-reliance, character, and discipline through the AVI Foundation, which she founded.
In addition to her BA in Criminal Justice from Shaw University, Sheriff Irving earned her Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and her PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice from North Central University. Sheriff Irving’s numerous honors and recognitions include:
Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) First Vice-President, 2024-2025
Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) Second Vice-President, 2023-2024
Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) Secretary, 2022-2023
Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) Treasurer, 2021-2022
United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Keeper of the Flame Award, 2022
Member of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
Member of International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Association of Chiefs of Police (NACP)
Member of Virginia Sheriff’s Association (VSA); Virginia Correctional Association (VCA); American Jail Association (AJA)
National Society of Leadership and Success Leadership Honor Society (Sigma Alpha Pi), 2021
National Society of Leadership and Success, 2021 (Northcentral University Chapter)
National Society of Leadership and Success Training Program, 2021
VSA Board of Directors, City of Richmond, Region VIII , 2020-2021
The John Jasper Trailblazer Award honoree at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church 2020
Chairperson of the Community Criminal Justice Board 2019
Inducted into the 2019 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Athletic Hall of Fame
Chair of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Advisory Council 2019
Living Legend Honoree, National Alumni Association of Shaw University, 2018
Emerge Virginia Boot Camp, Class of 2017
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award, 2017 honoree
Past President, Virginia Center for Restorative Justice
Leadership Metro Richmond, graduate 2008
YWCA Women of the Year in Government and Politics, 2002 honoree
Golden Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Charter Member, Henrico County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
