The Sheriff's Office was formed in 1742 when Fairfax County was created from Prince William County, Virginia. The sheriff is a position established under the Virginia Constitution. The sheriff is elected every four years. There have been 70 elected sheriffs in Fairfax County. The current Sheriff is Stacey Kincaid, who was first elected in 2013. The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office responsibilities have changed since its inception. It was the primary law enforcement agency in the County until 1940. That year Sheriff Eppa P. Kirby persuaded the Virginia General Assembly to separate the law enforcement role of the county police from the Sheriff's Office. On July 1, 1940, the Fairfax County Police Department became a separate agency under the control of Board of Supervisors.
Overview
The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is a paramilitary organization with a rank structure.
Deputy sheriffs begin their training at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy in Chantilly, Virginia. The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office attends the police academy with the Fairfax County, Herndon and Vienna Police Departments.
Divisions
Adult Detention Facility The Adult Detention Center serves as the County jail in Fairfax. It is unique in the nation because it provides all three forms of jail housing—linear, podular remote, and direct supervision. The average daily population is about 1200 inmates. Inmates await trial and sentencing, or release after completing their sentence. The jail holds criminals with all types of offenses from, murder to drunk in public. Civil Enforcement The Sheriff's Office provides the service of civil documents including court capias and court orders of the Virginia Court System. The Sheriff's Office also is responsible for executing eviction orders and levies. Court Security The Sheriff's Office provides security for the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the Fairfax County Judicial Center, both located in Fairfax County's Public Safety Complex. The Judicial Center is one of the busiest courthouses in Virginia with an average of 3,500 persons entering the center daily. Additionally the Sheriff's Office provides security for the courts in the towns of Vienna and Herndon and the City of Fairfax. Security is provided for the judges, staff and visitors. The Sheriff's Office also is responsible for escorting in excess of 17,000 prisoners to and from these courts each year. Community Relations Honor Guard The Honor Guard represents the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office at numerous events both locally and nationally. Project Lifesaver The Sheriff's office assists families and caregivers of individuals with Autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's and related diseases and disabilities. Clients wear a wristband that emits a silent tracking signal. Deputies that respond to a family member that is lost can locate these individuals. Community Labor Force This section provides a substantial savings to the tax payers of Fairfax County by maintaining the grounds at numerous County facilities. The labor force removes graffiti and cleans county right of ways of trash. Labor crews consist of well screened non-violent offenders. Sheriff's Emergency Response Team This tactical arm of the Sheriff's Office is trained to handle high risk cell extractions in the Adult Detention Center, hostage, riot and barricade situations in facilities maintained by the Sheriff's Office. High risk transports, judiciary and executive protection, and high risk court trials. This unit is also trained in civil disturbance management and provides mutual aid to the Fairfax County Police Department. Crisis Negotiation Team The Sheriff's Office Crisis Negotiation Team responds to the scene of all hostage or barricade situations in facilities maintained by the Sheriff's Office. Through verbal communications, its members protect the lives of all hostages, bystanders, deputy sheriffs, and suspects. Their primary objective is to secure the release of all hostages and facilitate the apprehension of all suspects.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, one officer has died in the line of duty.
