Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia)
Encyclopedia
The Augusta County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) is the primary law enforcement agency servicing 73,750 people within 971 square miles (2,514.9 km²) of jurisdiction within Augusta County, VA.
Divisions:
Specialized Units:
History
The ACSO was created in 1745 when James Patton was elected as the first sheriff. The ACSO was accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition.Organization
The agency is currently headed by Sheriff Randall “Randy” Fisher. The ACSO currently has 72 sworn deputies and 6 dispatchers.Divisions:
- Civil process division Civil process consists of witness subpoenas, warrants in debt, juvenile summonses and petitions, garnishments, show cause orders, writs of possession, and evictions.
- Court security division The Court security division's jobs range from bailiffs inside the court room, to entry security at the court house itself.
- Investigation division The Investigation division assigns, equips, and trains skilled officers to investigate.
- Patrol division The Patrol Division's primary responsibility is to answer calls for service given by the Emergency Operations Center.
- Crime protection Crime Protection oversees the Neighborhood Watch Program, Business Watch, Operation Lifesaver and virtually every aspect of Crime Prevention.
- Staff Services Staff Services maintains all records, warrants, traffic summons and NCIC/VCIN entries for the Sheriff's Office.
Specialized Units:
- Canine unit The Canine Unit is responsible for tracking, agility, article search, building search, open search, chase and apprehension, and handler protection. Police Service Dogs also assist the SWAT team at tactical calls.
- Firearms division The Firearms Division is responsible for the training and qualification of all Department members with their issue weapons.
- Honor guard The Honor Guard unit is designed to provide the Department with a specially trained ceremonial team to render honors, preserve tradition, stimulate Esprit-de-corps and instill pride.
- School resource officer The SRO program is meant to initiate more positive contact between police and youth.
- SWAT unit The SWAT team‘s goal is to save lives.
- Traffic unit The Traffic Unit also utilizes a MPH Radar Trailer and other speed measuring devices to address speeding and reckless driving complaints on various roads throughout the County.
- DARE The DARE program gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, 1 officer has died in the line of duty.| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Sheriff Frank Lightner Armstrong | |
Gunfire |