Sussex County Sheriff's Office- Sussex, Virginia | home

Sheriff Giles Reelected and Announces Command Staff

Sheriff Giles was reelected in an uncontested race in November 2019 as Sheriff of Sussex County. On December 27th, 2019 members of the Sheriff's staff were appointed for the term beginning January 1st, 2020 and the new command structure was announced. Shown in the photo below are the Deputy Sheriffs assigned to jail operations who were promoted and assigned additional duties.

Shown from left is Cpl. Otis Wyche, Sgt. Jason Rideout, Major Vincent B.Givens, Lt. James J. Shanko, Sgt. Melvin R. Saunders, and Cpl. Austin Fly.

Sussex Sheriff Elected to Virginia Sheriff's Institute State Board

New 2019 Calendar Issued

This is the group photo of the employees of the Sussex County Sheriff's Office and Jail

Volunteer of the Year 2018 Emily Finchum's Graduation

Jarratt Day 2018

Click It or Ticket Safety Event May 2018

Deputies participated in the nationally recognized Click It or Ticket program which promotes seat belt safety.

"Stuff The Cruiser" Project 2018

Sussex County Sheriff's Office has 2018 Department Calendar

For the first time ever, Sussex County Sheriff's Office is featured on a calendar! Sheriff Giles had researched other Sheriff's Offices across Virginia that had participated in a calendar project to promote their Departments in the community. Sheriff Carlos Turner, formerly a Sussex County Deputy Sheriff, and current Surry County Sheriff assisted in the project by taking the photos of the staff used in the calendar. This project was totally financed by donations by businesses in and around Sussex County. Shown below is the header of the calendar.

Sergeant Maxwell Retires

Sergeant Gwendolyn Maxwell retired February 1, 2018 after 20 years of service. A retirement luncheon was held on Friday February 2nd. Several retired Communications staff attended, including Mrs. Gladys Reed, Mrs. Carol Kitchen, and former dispatcher Mary Beth Newton. Shown in the photos are staff members, Sheriff E.L. Giles, Sr. and others congratulating Sgt. Maxwell.

Sheriff Giles and Sheriff Turner (Surry County) at a training event (2017)

Sheriff Ernest L. Giles, Sr. Elected

During the November 2017 Special Election, the voters overwhelmingly expressed their confidence in Sheriff Giles by electing him to fulfill the remainder of Sheriff Bell's term of office. The next regularly scheduled election of Constitutional Officers will be in November 2019, with the new term beginning in January 2020.

Sheriff Giles Sworn In

Following the death of Sheriff Bell, Chief Deputy E. L. Giles was sworn in as Sheriff of Sussex County. He is the 71st Sheriff in the history of the county. A lifelong native of Sussex and a 25 year veteran of this Department, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership abilities to the position. Sheriff Giles has begun the task of evaluating the current status of every aspect of the Department, from administrative staff to Patrol and Jail Operations.

Sheriff Bell End of Watch

We are saddened to announce that on June 3, 2017 Sheriff Raymond R. Bell died after battling a lengthly illness. He will be missed by his staff, his family, and all who knew him. Services were conducted at Sussex Central High School on June 10, 2017.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Week 2015

This year's Law Enforcement and Corrections Week culminated in an Awards Luncheon at the Sheriff's Office. Among those recognized for their continuing contributions to a successful Sheriff's Office was Captain Ernest Giles, who received the Captain Kevin Diggs Award for Excellence for a second time. Others included Deputy Michael Kessinger for Patrol Division; Deputy Nakia Adams for Communications; and Deputy Brandon Cherry for Corrections. Special recognition was given to our Clerical Staff as well.

Christmas Party 2014

Employees were treated to good food and fellowship during the annual Christmas Party held at the Sheriff's Office. Others invited to share in the occasion were members of the Commonwealth Attorney's staff and Retired Sheriff E. S. Kitchen, Jr.

Updated Patrol Units

During the past year, Sheriff Bell has worked to update and upgrade the Sheriff's Office vehicles. Shown is one of the new Ford Taurus Patrol Units.

Lt. Patterson Recognized

During the November 2014 departmental meeting, Valarie P. Ricks was recognized for her recent promotion to Lieutenant in charge of Emergency Communications for the Sheriff's Office. Shown is Lt. Vincent B. Givens, Jail Administrator, pinning the insignia on Lt. Ricks while Sgt. Maxwell looks on. Second photo is of staff members during the meeting, and another photo of Lts. Ricks and Givens.

Range day September 2014

In September, Patrol Deputys were issued new M4 rifles to replace their worn and dated Ruger Mini 14s.

Deputys recognized by Sheriff R. R. Bell for top achievements in Law Enforcement - Summer 2014

From left to right: Deputy Matt Rawls was recognized for the most drug-related arrests, and Deputy Saul Moore for the most DUI-related arrests.

Not pictured is Deputy Kevin Stubbs, recognized for the most traffic citations for the past year.

Deputys pose for first ever Sheriff's Office photo shoot - May 2, 2014

Shown from Left to Right: Deputys assigned to Communications; Our Patrol Deputys; and Jail Administrator Lt. V. B Givens.

Deputys assigned to Corrections /Jail; and our Administrative Staff. The Sheriff's Office staff was treated to a luncheon for Law Enforcement Appreciation Week.

Staff recognized for outstanding contributions to our Sheriff's Office - 2014

Deputy Crystal Wyche was chosen Deputy of the Year for Communications Staff, Investigator Derrick McKenzie is Patrol Deputy of the Year,

and Cpl. Melvin Saunders was chosen as Deputy of the Year for the Jail Staff.

Chief Deputy Ernest Giles awarded first annual Kevin Diggs Award for Excellence - 2014

This annual award was created by Sheriff Raymond R. Bell in memory of Captain Kevin Diggs, who was Chief Deputy during the Sheriff's first term of office. Captain Diggs was instrumental in implementing many advances in technology at the Sheriff's Office during his tenure as Chief Deputy. Captain Giles has served the Sheriff's Office for more than 20 years, and has continued serving with the dedication and progressive attitude that Captain Diggs was known for.

Chief Bailiff Larry Murray Retires - July 31, 2013

Cpl. Larry Murray, who served with the Sheriff's Office more than 20 years, has retired. Murray's assignments included working in the Jail, and as a Patrol Deputy. He served as School Resource Officer at Sussex Central High School before being appointed as Bailiff of the Courts by Sheriff Bell. Photo shows Sgt. James Meredith congratulating Cpl. Murray at his retirement luncheon.

Captain Kevin Diggs Retires - April 1, 2013.

Captain Kevin Diggs retired from the Sheriff's Office after 30 years of outstanding public service. He will be missed by those who served with him, and by the citizens he served.

Former Sussex County Jail building removed for construction of new Commonwealth Attorney's Office

From January 28 - February 1st, 2013, demolition of the former jail was completed. This building was built long ago as the Jail for the county and in use until 1968, when the present Sheriff's Office and Jail were built. After that time the structure was used as the Department of Social Services until 1995, and as the Magistrate's Office until December 2012.

Sheriff Bell Elected to a Second Term November 6, 2012

Special event of 2009

Hunting Quarter Baptist Church and Sussex County Sheriff's Office sponsored the first annual 100 YOUTH IN WHITE MARCHING FOR CHRIST and Youth Forum on May 2, 2009. The March started at Galilee Baptist Church, Stony Creek and concluded at the Stony Creek Park. The event was well attended and considered a great success. Plan to join us in 2010 for the 2nd annual event. Date and time to be announced.

Sheriff Bell sworn in to begin his first term January 1, 2008

Sheriff Bell Elected

Lt. Givens congratulates Sheriff Bell on election night, November 6, 2007.

Sheriff Kitchen Retires

On July 27th, 2007 a luncheon was held in the Sussex County Judicial Center to honor retiring Sheriff E. S. Kitchen, Jr. Attending the event were local dignitaries, representatives from the Virginia Sheriff's Association, Virginia State Police, all the surrounding counties elected Sheriffs, and his sheriff's office staff. Sheriff Kitchen is the second longest serving Sheriff of Sussex County, having been first elected Sheriff in 1980. Sheriff Kitchen is retiring as a law enforcement officer but not from being actively employed. He is returning to the field of teaching, his profession before he joined the Sheriff's Office.

Chief Deputy Sworn In

Captain Bell, Chief Deputy, is sworn in as the 70th Sheriff of Sussex County Local Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police congratulate Sheriff Bell.