Thomas Jones longest serving sheriff in Virginia

Virginia‘s Constitutional Officers are awarded license plates based on seniority. This year Charlotte County Sheriff Thomas Jones received the ‘number one’ plate designating him as the longest serving sheriff in Virginia. Sheriff Jones said when he was elected in 1988 his license designation was 111.

 Jones was humble about the honor. “This means 110 wonderful men with a lot of knowledge and skill have retired or died. I learned a lot from them.” Jones also gave credit to the department’s employees and his family. “I couldn’t have lasted this long without a great support team.”

Jones joined the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in 1981 after being hired by Sheriff Burrel A. Brown. The starting salary was $9000.00 per year.  In 1988 when he was elected, the department had 16 employees. Currently there are 35 full-time employees with 31 being paid by the State Compensation Board. Jones explained state funded positions are based on population and if not filled are given to another county.

 Major Donald Lacks is the only other officer still with the department who was there when he took office, Sheriff Jones added. His first hire as sheriff was Royal Freeman, now Captain. Administrative Assistant Debra Lacks and Deputy Nelson Cardwell and Investigator Howard Hobgood joined the force in 1989. Jones added, “Law enforcement has become more complicated. I have seen a lot of changes since 1989.”

 Sheriff Jones ended the interview saying, “It has been an honor serving the citizens of Charlotte County.”