My Promise

Today I took my third oath as Sheriff, a constitutional office in the Commonwealth of Virginia that is unique in American history and to its present state of society. I raised my right hand, placed my left hand on the family Bible my father was holding, and swore to God and my community that I would faithfully discharge my duties as Sheriff.

Although I have sworn oaths many thousands of times over the course of my career, the oath of Sheriff is unique. An elected Sheriff answers only to the citizenry. He or she is not beholden to any government unit, no supervisory body, and no legislature. My promise, my sacred oath to God, is to use my best abilities to support the Constitutions of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

My devotion to our Constitution is non-negotiable, especially whenever and wherever I see our freedoms threatened. I will always respect the rule of law but don’t need to wait for a court to interpret my duty for me. My actions will always be in service of liberty and to the hard-working, freedom-loving people I am privileged to serve, so help me God.