Altavista Police Department

06/03/2026

APD sends its deepest condolences to Butch’s family. Butch served the citizens of Altavista as a police officer for over 25 years. Rest in peace, job well done.

William Butch Ernest Scott, 84, of Altavista, Virginia, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026, at Lynchburg General Hospital, surrounded by the family he loved so dearly. Known for his larger-than-life personality, infectious sense of humor, and ability to make friends wherever he went, Butch leave...

05/22/2026

APD cooking hotdogs for the ACS Senior class

05/22/2026

May 22, 2026

PRESS RELEASE
Drug Indictments Secured by Altavista Police Department
The Altavista Police Department presented evidence to a Campbell County Grand Jury on Monday, May 18, 2026, resulting in the following indictments:
• Gerard Rondell Mickles of Rustburg, Virginia — §18.2-250 Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance



• Kristy Bowling Francis of Altavista, Virginia — §18.2-250 Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance


• Daniel Jermie Dash of Hurt, Virginia — Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance; Possession of a Firearm While in Possession of Certain Controlled Substances


• Kathryn Rochelle Hunter of Hurt, Virginia — Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance and three counts of §18.2-248 Manufacture/Sale of Controlled Substance


• Courtney Thomas Rowland of Chatham, Virginia — Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance


• Marty Gene Mattox of Gretna, Virginia — Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance


• Brandon David Nathaniel Ceasar of Pittsville, Virginia — Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance


• Tracy Alan Worsham of Hurt, Virginia — §18.2-250(A)(a) Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance


• Cruz Montgomery Wright of Crimora, Virginia — Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance


• William Brent Sandridge Amato of Concord, Virginia — Distribution of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance


• James Miller of Hurt, Virginia- Prisoner Make Procure Possess Unlawful Chemical & Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance


• Kenneth Ronald Dean of Grottoes, Virginia — Solicitation of Prostitution and Manufacture/Sale of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance

Ceasar and Worsham were arrested by the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office on 5-20-26. Wright, Amato, and Miller were already in custody on unrelated charges. Mickles was served by the Campbell Co Sheriff’s Office on 5-21-26. The remaining indictments are currently outstanding.
If you know the location of any of the suspects, please contact the Altavista Police Department at 434-369-7425 or Campbell County Dispatch at 434-332-9574.
The Altavista Police Department would like to thank the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office and the Campbell County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in these cases and their ongoing partnership. We value the great partnerships we have with our fellow local law enforcement agencies.
An indictment is a formal charge and not a determination of guilt. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

05/13/2026

Last night, we were fortunate to host a ceremony recognizing the accomplishments and dedication of several of our officers.

Officer Dean Hyler was recognized as our newest officer. Dean comes to the Altavista Police Department with many years of law enforcement experience after recently retiring from another local department.

K9 Officer Cory Earhart was recognized for his promotion to Corporal and was pinned by his father, Sgt. Scott Earhart of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigator Logan Anthony was recognized for his promotion to Sergeant/Investigator and was pinned by his wife.

Corporal Priscilla Elias was recognized for her promotion to Sergeant and was pinned by her parents.

Captain John Henderson was recognized for his promotion to Deputy Chief and was pinned by his wife, Trish.

In one of the evening’s most meaningful moments, Carlyoone Canady, the victim of a vicious dog attack, presented Officer Coleman Farmer and Sergeant Chelsea Pugh with the Lifesaving Award for their swift actions, which likely saved her life.

We appreciate all of the friends and family members who came out to support our officers, and we also thank Mayor Bennett for his kind words and council's continued support of the department.

05/11/2026

Traffic Stop Nets Drug Arrest

On May 8, 2026, at approximately 8:53 p.m., Officer Coleman Farmer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle within the Town of Altavista for an equipment violation. During the traffic stop, Cpl. Earhart deployed narcotics detection K9 Xero to conduct a free-air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. K9 Xero gave a positive alert indicating the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle.

A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of suspected co***ne, methamphetamine, assorted pills, ma*****na, ammunition, multiple cellular phones, scales, and U.S. currency.

Arrested was Robert Deshawn Barbour, 32, of Lynchburg. He was charged with:

Distribution of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance
Distribution of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance involving 10 grams or more of methamphetamine
Possession of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance (crack co***ne)
Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon

Barbour was transported to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority facility in Rustburg, where he is being held without bond.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Altavista Police Department at 434-369-7425.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

05/01/2026

04/20/2026

Come on out and join us!

Check out Altavista Police Dept’s video.

04/14/2026

04/14/2026

Saturday, April 25, 2026 – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – the Altavista Police Department will join with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and community groups to provide you with a safe and legal way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. Bring these items to our office located at 510 7th Street for disposal. Please note: we cannot accept sharps, and/or liquid medications.

02/27/2026

February 26, 2026

Arrest Made for Communicating Threats
On February 24, 2026, the Altavista Police Department was made aware of a concerning Facebook message received by Altavista Mayor Reggie Bennett. An investigation was initiated immediately.
Following consultation with Paul McAndrews, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Campbell County, a felony warrant was obtained on February 26, 2026, for Kevin Scott Kessee, 46, of Gretna, Virginia. Kessee was charged with Communicating Threats of Death or Bodily Injury in violation of Virginia Code § 18.2-60.
Kessee was subsequently arrested by deputies of the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office. He was later released on an unsecured bond.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.