Henry County Sheriff's Office

09/01/2026

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is saddened to learn of the passing of former member of our law enforcement family, Garlin Issac Painter, who passed away on August 29, 2026, at the age of 85.

Mr. Painter devoted much of his life to serving others and his community. After beginning his career in the textile industry, he answered the call to law enforcement and proudly served with the Henry County Sheriff’s Department until his retirement.

Even retirement could not bring an end to his commitment to public service. Mr. Painter later continued his law enforcement career with the Martinsville City Sheriff’s Office, where he served in the court system until retiring for a second time.

Those who knew Mr. Painter remember a faithful, hardworking and caring man with a strong work ethic, a warm personality and plenty of good stories to share. His years of service are part of the history of this Office, and we are grateful for the role he played in serving the citizens of Henry County.

Sheriff Wayne Davis and the men and women of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched.

We are thankful for his service and dedication to our community, and we honor the legacy he leaves behind.

Rest in peace, Mr. Painter. Your service will not be forgotten.

08/31/2026

Help us fill the amphitheater for Shop With A Cop!

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Henry County NWTF Longbeards are coming together for a great afternoon of live music, food, family fun, and most importantly, supporting children right here in our community.

Join us Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Monogram’s Smith River Sports Complex Amphitheater in Axton for Matt Boswell & The HBB!

There will be live music, food trucks, kids activities, a beer garden, and plenty of opportunities to come together as a community for a great cause.

Tickets are $15 per person in advance and increase to $20 at the door.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office Shop With A Cop program. This program gives our deputies the opportunity to spend time with local children and help make Christmas a little more special for families in our community.

We want to see Henry County show up! Grab your tickets, bring your family and friends, and come spend the afternoon with us. Every person who comes out helps us continue making Shop With A Cop something special.

Saturday, September 12
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monogram’s Smith River Sports Complex Amphitheater
1000 Irisburg Road, Axton, VA 24054

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE:
Purchase tickets on Eventbrite⁠

08/29/2026

In Memory of Sheriff Steve Draper

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office joins our community and law enforcement family in mourning the passing of Martinsville City Sheriff Steve Draper.

Sheriff Draper devoted much of his life to public service. He began working with the Martinsville Sheriff’s Office in 1973 and was elected Sheriff in 1993, taking office on January 1, 1994. His remarkable career made him the longest-serving sheriff in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a distinction that reflects decades of dedication, leadership, and service.

For more than three decades as Sheriff, Steve was a familiar and respected presence throughout Martinsville and Henry County. His service extended far beyond his own community, including serving as President of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association and in numerous leadership roles throughout the Commonwealth.

To those of us in law enforcement, Sheriff Draper was more than a neighboring Sheriff. He was a colleague, a partner, a friend, and an example of what a lifetime dedicated to public service looks like.

Sheriff Wayne Davis and the men and women of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office extend our deepest condolences to Sheriff Draper’s family, friends, and the entire Martinsville Sheriff’s Office. We stand beside them during this incredibly difficult time.

Sheriff Draper leaves behind a legacy that will not be measured simply by the number of years he wore the badge, but by the people he served, the officers he influenced, the partnerships he built, and the community to which he devoted his life.

Rest easy, Sheriff Draper. Your watch has ended, but your legacy of service will live on throughout Martinsville, Henry County, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

08/27/2026

Mark your calendars for a great evening of live music, food, family fun, and supporting a great cause!

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Henry County NWTF Longbeards are proud to present Matt Boswell & The HBB on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Monogram’s Smith River Sports Complex in Axton.

Bring the whole family and enjoy live music, food trucks, local food vendors, kids’ activities, a beer garden, and more.

Most importantly, proceeds from this event will benefit the Henry County Sheriff’s Office Shop With A Cop program, helping us make Christmas a little brighter for children in our community.

Saturday, September 12, 2026
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monogram’s Smith River Sports Complex
1000 Irisburg Road, Axton, VA 24054

Tickets are $15 per person in advance and increase to $20 at the door. Scan the QR code on the flyer to purchase your tickets.

Come spend the afternoon with us, enjoy some great music, and help support a program that gives back directly to children and families in our community.

We hope to see you there!

08/27/2026

LOOKING FOR A CAREER WHERE EVERY SHIFT MATTERS?

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is looking for motivated, dependable men and women who are ready to serve their community and build a career they can be proud of.

We are currently accepting applications for Deputy Sheriffs, with opportunities to work in patrol, investigations, corrections, and specialized assignments throughout the agency.

Starting salary: $50,755

Benefits include:
• 100% employer-paid health insurance for the employee
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Virginia Retirement System benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Opportunities for specialized training and advancement

As your career grows, opportunities may be available with specialty teams including SWAT, ERT, Precision Rifle, Dive, Drone/Robot, Hostage Negotiations, K9 and more.

You don’t have to come to us with years of law enforcement experience. Bring us your work ethic, integrity, willingness to learn, and desire to serve. We’ll help you build the career.

Your community. Your career. Your calling.

Ready to get started?

Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit www.henrycountyva.gov/jobs

Questions? Call 276-618-7140.

Could you be the next person to wear the badge?

08/26/2026

Working Together for Safer Roads

Last night, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police conducted a traffic safety checkpoint in the Bassett, VA.

Our deputies and Virginia State Troopers worked side by side with one goal in mind: Keeping our roadways and our community safe.

We want to remind everyone that safe driving starts before you ever put your vehicle in gear. Buckle up every trip, make sure your vehicle is safe for the road, put the phone down, obey traffic laws, and never drive impaired.

Seat belts save lives. A few seconds spent buckling up can make all the difference in a crash. And if you have been drinking or using anything that could impair your ability to drive, make the responsible choice and find a safe ride home.

We appreciate the Virginia State Police for their continued partnership and commitment to traffic safety throughout Henry County.

Drive safe. Buckle up. Drive sober. Help us make sure everyone gets home safely.

08/26/2026

08/24/2026

Calling all men in our community!

The Stand Firm Men’s Conference is coming to Stone Memorial Christian Church in Collinsville, VA on October 4, and we’d love to see men from across Henry County and the surrounding area come out.

This will be an afternoon of encouragement, fellowship, faith, and practical teaching designed to challenge men to stand firm in their faith and be strong leaders in their families and communities.

Featuring Men’s Alliance founder David “Goose” Mills as keynote speaker, along with Sheriff Wayne Davis, Brandon Johnson, and Travis Keith.

Registration is $20 and includes supper. Space is limited!

Sign up today at http://stonemcc.com/standfirm

Bring a friend, your son, your dad, your brother, or a coworker. Come ready to be encouraged and challenged.

Stand Firm.

08/24/2026

Most of the time, our community calls on us. Every once in a while, we get to call on them.

Early Sunday morning, following Saturday night’s brutal storm, C-Shift deputies found Dyer Store Road completely blocked by a large downed tree while en route to a call for service. Having to turn around and reroute would have cost valuable time getting to that call.

That’s when the Byrds of Dyer Store Rd. answered the call.

Without hesitation, they brought out their own equipment and cleared the roadway so our deputies could keep moving.

This is just one of those moments that happened to be caught on camera, but we know acts like this happen throughout Henry County all the time.

We’re thankful for the relationship between our deputies and the community we serve and especially thankful for neighbors who are willing to step up when we need them, too.

Thank you to the Byrds of Dyer Store Rd.!