Orange County Sheriff's Office VA - Jason C. Smith, Sheriff

09/01/2026

On August 30th at approximately 9:00 p.m., Deputy Marks responded to a report of a wrong-way driver on Route 3 that ultimately resulted in a motor vehicle crash.

Upon arriving on scene and investigating the crash, Deputy Marks determined that the 40-year-old male driver from Spotsylvania was intoxicated. The driver refused Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and Intox. He was subsequently arrested and transported to Central Virginia Regional Jail, where he was held until sober on a $3,000 unsecured bond.

Thankfully, no one was injured.

The vehicle pictured belongs to the victim, not the impaired driver. We are sharing it because the damage tells the story better than we can. The people inside were incredibly fortunate to walk away from this crash without being injured. This could have very easily ended with someone seriously injured or killed.

Driving impaired is not an accident or a mistake that only affects you. It is a choice that puts every innocent person on the roadway in danger. Someone driving home from work, a family coming home from dinner, or a teenager heading home could pay the price for that decision.

There is no excuse. Get a ride. Call someone. Stay where you are. Hand over your keys.

Make better decisions. Don’t drink and drive.

08/31/2026

Message from the Sheriff

It seems that we have had an increase in avoidable traffic crashes lately. Even though deputies and State Troopers are enforcing traffic violations, I want to give a few reminders and cautions for drivers to assist in keeping our roadways safe.

Yes, Route 20 is a long, two-lane highway that sees over 4.5 million cars per year on this one road alone. The road is considered Route 20 North/South, but in reality, it runs East/West. In the mornings and evenings, when the sun is rising or setting, it can be difficult to see ahead. I would encourage everyone to turn their headlights on and not just rely on the automatic feature in your vehicle.

Slow down. There is not a single road in Orange County that has a speed limit above 55 mph. Pay attention to speed limits and school speed signs. Whatever speed zone you are in, even when passing, you cannot go above the speed limit. I would venture to say that 9 times out of 10, when someone passes another vehicle, that vehicle is right behind them at the next stoplight or stop sign. You are not saving any time, but you are putting everyone at risk for no reason.

We have seen cars passing on double solid lines, which is not only illegal but dangerous. I would encourage everyone to put down their cell phones and focus on driving. The call, text, email, or social media post can wait, or simply pull over safely off the highway to respond to it.

Please leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you are going 55 mph, you should leave at least 5 or 6 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you are a slower driver, that is great, but on occasion, please pull over when it is safe to do so and let vehicles by so they are not passing and causing more of a risk.

SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES! Please put your seat belt on. It is the law. Physics does not care if you are a good driver or not when someone hits you at a high rate of speed.

Our deputies are out 24/7 working criminal cases, handling calls for service, serving arrest warrants, and enforcing traffic laws. One DUI arrest or death investigation can tie that deputy up for 3 to 4 hours. As this county continues to grow, traffic will increase, as will calls for service. We need your continued support for more deputies so that we have additional personnel available for traffic enforcement.

Please help us by slowing down, paying attention, and putting the phone down!

Stay Safe, O.C.!

08/29/2026

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office extends our sincere condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and community of Martinsville Sheriff Steve Draper, who passed away today.

Sheriff Draper dedicated more than five decades of his life to public service. His service began in 1971 with the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, followed by service with the Martinsville-Henry County Rescue Squad and the Martinsville Sheriff’s Office. He was elected to Martinsville City Council in 1991 before being elected Sheriff.

Sheriff Draper was sworn into office on January 1, 1994, and served continuously for more than 32 years, making him the longest-serving current Sheriff in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

His lifetime of service to the citizens of Martinsville and the Commonwealth leaves behind a remarkable legacy.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Draper’s family, the members of the Martinsville Sheriff’s Office, and the entire Martinsville community during this difficult time.

08/28/2026

Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Johnny Thomas on his promotion to Captain!

Captain Thomas has served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office since 2012 and has dedicated more than 12 years to criminal investigations. For the past two and a half years, he has served as Lieutenant of Investigations, leading investigators through numerous major and complex criminal cases while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Investigations Division.

Throughout his career, Captain Thomas has remained committed to professional development, attending specialized training and conferences, including the Dallas ICAC Conference, Delaware Homicide Conference, Sheriff's Conferences, and numerous advanced investigative and forensic training programs. His experience, professionalism, and leadership have earned the respect of both his peers and our law enforcement partners.

In his new role as Captain, Thomas will oversee the Investigations Division, Animal Control, and Victim Witness Services. He will be responsible for supervising personnel, managing divisional operations, coordinating with prosecutors and partner agencies, and ensuring these divisions continue to provide professional, compassionate, and effective service to the citizens of Orange County.

Join us in congratulating Captain Johnny Thomas on this well-earned promotion. We are confident he will continue to provide outstanding leadership and wish him continued success in his new role.

Congratulations, Captain Thomas!

08/27/2026

🚨 INFORMATION REQUESTED 🚨

Sometime between the night of Friday, August 22nd, and the morning of Saturday, August 23rd, this field in the Mine Run area was vandalized.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious, has information about the incident, or knows who may be responsible to please come forward.

If you have any information, please contact Sgt. C. Amos at 540-672-1234.

Even the smallest detail could help. Please share this post to help spread the word throughout the community.

Thank you for your assistance and support.

08/26/2026

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the promotion of Investigator Miranda Pitts to Lieutenant of Investigations.

Lt. Pitts has served with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office since 2018 and was assigned to our Investigations Division in 2022. In her new role, Lt. Pitts will oversee the Investigations Division and the complex criminal investigations handled by our investigators.

Throughout her career, Lt. Pitts has continued to build an impressive background of education, specialized training, and investigative experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics from Regent University and has earned multiple certifications in digital forensics. She also serves as an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Officer, is a certified driving instructor, and is trained in crisis negotiations.

Her dedication to the profession has also been recognized within our agency, including being named Investigator of the Year in 2024 and receiving a “Sheriff’s Award” in 2025.

Lt. Pitts has played an important role in numerous investigations during her time with OCSO, particularly those involving digital evidence and crimes against children. Her knowledge, experience, and willingness to take on difficult cases have made her an important resource not only for our office, but for our law enforcement partners as well.

Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Miranda Pitts on her well-earned promotion. We look forward to her leadership as she takes on this new role overseeing the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division.

08/24/2026

Long weekends mean more celebrations-and more impaired drivers on Virginia roads. Before the cookouts, concerts, and celebrations begin, make sure your ride home is already planned.
Learn more at www.WhatsTheDamage.org

08/22/2026

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the promotion of Christian Amos to the rank of Sergeant!

Sgt. Amos is an Orange County native and graduate of Orange County High School. Following high school, he attended James Madison University, where he earned his degree while simultaneously completing his law enforcement training through the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy.

Since beginning his career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Amos has served in our Patrol Division, gaining valuable experience while serving the same community in which he was raised. Most recently, he took on an additional role as a K9 handler and can often be found working alongside his partner, K9 Kyro.

As one of two Patrol Sergeants at OCSO, Sgt. Amos is now responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations of the Patrol Division, providing leadership and guidance to our patrol deputies, and helping ensure our community continues to receive the highest level of service.

Sgt. Amos has demonstrated a strong commitment to Orange County, his fellow deputies, and the citizens we serve. We are proud to see him take this next step in his career and look forward to his continued growth as a leader within our agency.

Please join us in congratulating Sgt. Christian Amos on his well-earned promotion!

08/20/2026

The Orange County E-911 Center is actively looking for applicants who want a career where they can make a real impact in their community.

Often described as “a job like no other,” our Communications Officers serve as the critical link between members of the public and the first responders they need. They answer 911 and non-emergency calls and dispatch law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services throughout Orange County.

This is a fast-paced and highly demanding career that requires professionalism, compassion, sound judgment, and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure. Communications Officers routinely provide life-saving medical instructions, gather and relay vital information to first responders, and help people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

You may never see the person you helped, but the work you do can make all the difference.

If you are looking for more than just a job and want an opportunity to serve your community and be part of the public safety team, the Orange County E-911 Center may be the place for you.

Visit the Orange County employment opportunities page to learn more about available positions and how to apply.

Position Summary Performs intermediate telecommunications work under frequent stressful conditions. Work is in the receipt of emergency and non-emergency calls for service...

08/19/2026

We are proud to introduce our new Administrative Captain, Justin Neal.

Captain Neal began his law enforcement career in 2012 following his graduation from college, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law. He initially served as a police officer with the Orange Police Department before transferring to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in 2017.

Throughout his career, Captain Neal has steadily advanced through the ranks while completing a wide range of specialized training and professional development courses. He also served as the handler of K9 Blek. With more than 15 years of patrol experience, Captain Neal brings extensive field experience, leadership, training, and administrative expertise to his new role as Administrative Captain.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Captain Neal’s career has been training new deputies. He also values engaging with the community and meeting citizens whenever the opportunity arises.

In his new role as Administrative Captain, Captain Neal looks forward to continuing to support the agency, its personnel, and the community through leadership, professional development, and effective administration.