Raleigh County Sheriff's Office

Raleigh County Sheriff's Office Established in 1850, the Sheriff’s Office was formed alongside the creation of Raleigh County from portions of Fayette County.

Sheriff Frank Priddy
Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to serving the residents of Raleigh County, West Virginia, located in the heart of southern West Virginia with Beckley as its county seat. Named after Sir Walter Raleigh, both Raleigh and the Sheriff’s Office have evolved to meet the needs of the approximately 79,000 residents living within its 610

square miles. The first county officers included:
- Sheriff: John T. Clay
- Prosecuting Attorney: Edward W. Bailey
- County Clerk: Daniel Shumate
- Circuit Clerk: Alfred Beckley
- Assessor: John H. Anderson

Over its 170-year history, the Sheriff’s Office has transformed from a small operation into a modern law enforcement agency, resulting in the opening of a brand-new facility in 2024. With a strong commitment to community engagement and safety, the office continues to maintain its historic responsibilities while incorporating contemporary tools and outreach programs to effectively serve the residents of Raleigh County.

09/01/2026

Sheriff Frank Priddy and Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton would like to remind everyone to continue keeping safety a priority as we head into the second week of the school year!

With students back in the classroom and school buses once again traveling our roads each morning and afternoon, we ask drivers to slow down, stay alert, and always be prepared to stop. Please watch closely for children waiting at bus stops, walking along roadways, and crossing the street as they travel to and from school.

Remember to obey school bus warning lights and stop arms, use extra caution in school zones, and put away distractions while behind the wheel. A few extra seconds of patience can make all the difference when it comes to keeping our children safe.

School safety is a community effort, and we appreciate everyone doing their part to help protect the students of Raleigh County throughout the school year.

From all of us at RCSO, remember to slow down, stay alert, and help us keep our students safe!

Stay Safe. Stay Alert. Stay Connected.

Sheriff Frank Priddy and Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton are pleased to announce the next stop for the “You Are Not Alone” ...
08/28/2026

Sheriff Frank Priddy and Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton are pleased to announce the next stop for the “You Are Not Alone” Outreach, taking place on September 19th from 5:00 PM–9:00 PM.

📍 IGA Parking Lot
2122 Ritter Dr.
Daniels, WV

Sgt. B.J. Adkins and the “You Are Not Alone” Outreach Team will be on-site to connect individuals and families with resources and support.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, mental health, homelessness, or other hardships, we encourage you to stop by and talk with us. We will have resources available and people ready to listen and help.

If you are currently struggling with substance abuse and are ready to take that first step toward treatment, we will work to help connect you with treatment right on the spot.

❤️ No Questions. No Judgment. Just Help.

We believe no one should have to face their struggles alone. We will continue to stand together as a community, reaching out to those who need a helping hand and connecting them with the resources they need.

We are stronger when we come together.

Sheriff Frank Priddy would like to inform the citizens of Raleigh County of the following:On June 13, 2026, deputies wit...
08/27/2026

Sheriff Frank Priddy would like to inform the citizens of Raleigh County of the following:

On June 13, 2026, deputies with the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office responded to the MacArthur area of Raleigh County, West Virginia, in reference to a reported burglary.

During the initial investigation, Lucas Boggess and Adrianna Smith reported that several valuable items had been taken from the residence.

As the investigation progressed, investigators uncovered numerous inconsistencies between the information initially provided to law enforcement and information later provided by the suspects to their homeowner’s insurance company.

Following a thorough investigation, investigators developed sufficient evidence to identify the reported burglary and subsequent insurance claim as fraudulent.

Upon completion of the investigation, Lucas Boggess and Adrianna Smith were arrested and charged with the following:

Lucas Boggess: (bond set $400,000)
• Attempted Fraudulent Schemes
• Insurance Fraud
• Conspiracy to Commit a Felony
• 22 Counts of Uttering a Forged Writing

Adrianna Smith: (bond set $300,000)
• Attempted Fraudulent Schemes
• Insurance Fraud
• Conspiracy to Commit a Felony

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the deputies and detectives who worked diligently to uncover the facts surrounding this case. We would also like to thank Trooper L. Wood for his assistance.

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

Sheriff Frank Priddy and Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton are proud to introduce Cpl. R. Talley III as the new School Resour...
08/27/2026

Sheriff Frank Priddy and Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton are proud to introduce Cpl. R. Talley III as the new School Resource Officer (SRO) for Independence High School!

Cpl. Talley III will also be present throughout the school day at Independence Middle School, Coal City Elementary School, and Ridgeview Elementary School, helping provide a safe and welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff.

We are confident that Cpl. Talley III will be successful in his new role and serve as a positive influence, mentor, and trusted resource for the students and school communities he serves.

Please join us in welcoming Cpl. R. Talley III to his new assignment! We wish him the very best as he begins this important role.

Sheriff Frank Priddy would like to inform the citizens on the following:On August 24, 2026, Deputy Villers was dispatche...
08/26/2026

Sheriff Frank Priddy would like to inform the citizens on the following:

On August 24, 2026, Deputy Villers was dispatched to a residence in the Piney View area regarding a reported stolen vehicle.

During the initial investigation, information was developed identifying Michael Shawn Ayers as a possible suspect. Deputy Villers followed up on investigative leads and was able to locate the stolen vehicle in the Beckley area.

The following day, Deputy Quesenberry encountered Ayers while investigating an unrelated burglary. Ayers was found to be in possession of jewelry and gift cards believed to be connected to other thefts. Deputy Quesenberry continued the investigation, developed additional information regarding stolen property, and was able to recover the property.

Deputy Villers subsequently interviewed Ayers, who confessed to stealing the vehicle.

The recovered jewelry was determined to have been taken during a burglary being investigated by Cpl. Schack.

As a result of the investigation, a stolen vehicle, jewelry, gift cards, and a chainsaw were recovered and returned to their respective owners.

Michael Shawn Ayers was arrested and charged with:
• Two counts of Burglary
• One count of Grand Larceny
• One count of Petit Larceny

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office would like to commend Deputy Villers, Deputy Quesenberry, and Cpl. Schack for their teamwork, persistence, and dedication throughout this investigation.

We would also like to thank Trooper Gilkerson with the West Virginia State Police for his assistance.

The coordinated efforts of these officers resulted in the identification and arrest of the suspect, as well as the recovery and return of multiple stolen items to their rightful owners.

This investigation serves as another example of the importance of teamwork and thorough investigative work in keeping our communities safe and holding those responsible accountable.

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

08/25/2026

Sheriff Frank Priddy and Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton would like to wish all of our students, teachers, staff, and families a safe, successful, and exciting school year!

As our students head back to the classroom, we want to remind everyone that school safety is a community effort. Please slow down in school zones, watch for school buses and pedestrians, and remain alert as children travel to and from school.

To our students: work hard, be kind, make good choices, and never be afraid to ask for help. Your community is behind you, and we are proud to support you every step of the way!

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office is committed to keeping our schools and communities safe while building positive relationships with the young people we serve.

From all of us at RCSO — have a GREAT school year!

Stay Safe. Stay Alert. Stay Connected.

Sheriff Frank Priddy and Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton would like to thank Cody Fortner for inviting Sgt. B.J. Adkins to ...
08/22/2026

Sheriff Frank Priddy and Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton would like to thank Cody Fortner for inviting Sgt. B.J. Adkins to attend the “Back to School Bash” at the Rhodell Church of God in Rhodell.

Sgt. Adkins and Chief Deputy Shelton were honored to attend and be a part of this special event. Sgt. Adkins had a table set up with gifts for the kids, along with information and resources for parents and members of the community.

We would like to thank everyone who came out and made this event a success. We truly appreciate the opportunity to connect with the families and youth in our communities as we prepare for another school year.

A special thank you to the Coal City Fire/EMS for taking a picture with us and helping make the event even more memorable!

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office is proud to continue building strong relationships with our communities and, most importantly, investing in our youth.

Together, we make a difference!

Sheriff Frank Priddy, Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton, and the entire Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office would like to congrat...
08/22/2026

Sheriff Frank Priddy, Chief Deputy Frankie Shelton, and the entire Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate Deputy L. Stump on completing and graduating from the 203rd Basic Class at the West Virginia State Police Academy.

Deputy Stump’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence have prepared him to proudly serve the citizens of Raleigh County. We are honored to welcome him to the team and look forward to the positive impact he will make in our community.

Please join us in congratulating Deputy L. Stump on this outstanding achievement!

08/21/2026

View Charles Thomas Darlington's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

Address

308 Ned Payne Drive
Beckley, WV
25801

Telephone

(304) 255-9300

Website

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