Augusta County Sheriff's Office

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Augusta County Sheriff's Office
AbbreviationACSO
Agency overview
Formed1745
Employees72
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionAugusta, Virginia, USA
Map of Virginia highlighting Augusta County.svg
Map of Augusta County Sheriff's Office's jurisdiction
Size971 square miles (2,510 km2)
Population73,750
Legal jurisdictionAugusta County
Governing bodyCounty (United States)
Constituting instrument
  • Yes
General nature
  • Local civilian police
Operational structure
HeadquartersVerona, Virginia
Deputys66
Civilians6
Agency executive
Website
Official website

The Augusta County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) is the primary law enforcement agency servicing 73,750 people within 971 square miles (2,510 km2) of jurisdiction within Augusta County, VA.

History[]

The ACSO was created in 1745 when James Patton was elected as the first sheriff.[1] The ACSO was accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition.[2]

Organization[]

The agency is currently headed by Sheriff Donald Smith. 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.[3]

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.[4]

Fallen officers[]

Since the establishment of the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, 1 officer has died in the line of duty.[5]

Officer Date of Death Details
Deputy Sheriff Frank Lightner Armstrong
Saturday, August 23, 1941
 Gunfire

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Augusta County Sheriff's Office - History
  2. ^ Augusta County Sheriff's Office - Accreditation
  3. ^ Augusta County Sheriff's Office - Divisions
  4. ^ Augusta County Sheriff's Office - Specialized Units
  5. ^ Officer Down Memorial page

External links[]

Retrieved from ""