A MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF BARON | | |
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Can you believe it’s December and the holiday season is already here? It seems this year has flown by. We have done so many wonderful things this year that you should be proud of. We brought back the Sheriff Joe Baron Foundation Summer Camp, we hosted the first Senior Fest since COVID, we handed out more than 300 meals to citizens in our community during the holidays, we participated in career day events, civic league events, job fairs, community events, and so much more! At the heart of everything we do is our purpose here at the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office – making a positive difference in the lives of others. I can say without a doubt that you all have made a difference in our community this year and it does not go unnoticed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart – I am honored to be your Sheriff. I wish each of you a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year! | |
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On November 21, 2023, just before Thanksgiving, and again on December 19, 2023, just in time for Christmas, Sheriff Baron and NSO personnel delivered 100 turkeys, 50 turkey breasts, and sides to citizens, churches, and non-profits located throughout Norfolk. That's 300 meals we have provided for members of our community between the two holidays.
Thank you to all of the NSO personnel who helped make these deliveries possible and to the generous sponsors for their support of this wonderful program.
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Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s holiday party at Baxter’s. We hope you all had fun and enjoyed spending time with each other outside of work. It was a great way to kick back, celebrate the holiday season, and all of your hard work throughout the year! | |
SHERIFF JOE BARON FOUNDATION | |
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The Sheriff Joe Baron Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization founded by Sheriff Joe Baron of the Norfolk (VA) Sheriff’s Office in 2017
The Foundation was established in 2017 and is the main source of revenue for all of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office community outreach and is a means for the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office to give back to the community we serve and provide programs for seniors, youth, and citizens throughout the community.
The Sheriff Joe Baron Foundation (SJBF) has a new website and Facebook page. Please visit the links below and help us spread the word!
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On November 16th, we celebrated alongside 11 recruits from the 72nd Session as they graduated from the NSO Training Academy.
During the ceremony, the graduates heard remarks from Sheriff Joe Baron and guest speaker FBI - Norfolk Special Agent in Charge Brian Dugan. Their badges were pinned by their family and friends and they were sworn in by the Honorable George Schaefer, Clerk of Courts for the Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
Congratulations to the following graduates:
Deputy J. Bastien
Deputy I. Ramos
Deputy B. Bridges
Deputy D. Sipes
Deputy M. Daniels
Deputy C. Vance
Deputy J. Nieves
Deputy W. Perez
Deputy K. Phelps
Jailor H. Kulwesky - WTRJ
Jailor Y. Baig - WTRJ
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Congratulations to Master Deputy Jackson, Master Deputy Graves, and Master Deputy Wells on their retirement! Between the three of them they have 72 years of service with the Norfolk Sheriff's Office!!!! Each of these deputies brought something special to the areas where they served. We are sad to see them go and they will be greatly missed. | |
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Congratulations to Eddie Wright of the NSO Finance Division for being the first NSO employee to become a “Certified Professional Public Buyer".
Eddie spent months studying, taking sample tests, reading manuals, and attending study groups to prepare for the exam and passed on his first try. In order to qualify to even take the test Eddie had to complete 90 contact hours including online classes and conferences.
This is a national certification which allows Eddie to do purchasing in-house without having to go through the city for larger purchases which could fast track purchases.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT UNITED BIKE RIDE | | |
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Each year in May, Law Enforcement United (LEU) and bike riders from all over the country travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in Police Week activities. We are happy to announce several members of the Norfolk Sheriff's Office will be participating in 2024. Known by their team name, The Guardians of Norfolk, M/D Tardy, M/D Parker, M/D Chisholm, Kim Bean, and M/D Chisholm's wife, Kelli, will join hundreds of riders for the three-day, 250+ mile ride. This year they are riding in memory of Cpl. Gilbran Barclift. Training and fundraising has already begun. Please scan the QR code on the flyer if you'd like to support them by making a donation to their team page. | |
Thank you to Deputy Boclair who recently assisted in the donation of bikes and equipment to the NSO LEU Team. LaDrew Dennis, a friend of Deputy Boclair’s and an avid bike rider, passed away earlier this year. After his death, Mr. Dennis' wife was trying to figure out what to do with many of his items, including three bikes, biking equipment, lights, heart monitors, shirts, and more. Deputy Boclair told her about the NSO LEU Team and she happily agreed to donate them to local law enforcement. She works for the Virginia Beach Courthouse and was excited to have the items stay “in the family.” She gave all of these items, totaling approximately $15,000, to Deputy Boclair who then dropped them off to the LEU Team. In honoring Deputy Boclair's late friend Ladrew Dennis, we can keep the wheels spinning for him. | |
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CELEBRATING OUR EMPLOYEES
AND THEIR FAMILIES!
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Congratulations to Corporal DJ Brown and his wife Cayte and their family on the birth of Elizabeth (Ellie) Rose Brown.
Ellie was born on 11/17/23 at 11:55 p.m. weighing in at 8lbs. 21” long.
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The coat drive continues until January 24th, but the NSO Community Affairs Division has already started handing out coats to those in need. They have already stopped by Lindenwood Elementary and ForKids to make deliveries. | |
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Thank you to everyone who dropped off a toy in the bin for Toys for Tots. Between items donated by our staff and from the Norfolk Public Defender’s Office, we had a large number of toys donated. Thank you for your generosity. | |
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Blood Drive a success. We exceeded our goal for blood donations and we couldn’t have done it without your help. The next blood drive will be held on June 12, 2024. | |
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GRAND ILLUMINATION PARADE | |
The annual Grand Illumination Parade is always a fun time! Thank to Community Affairs for putting together a great float to represent the NSO and to everyone who walked in the parade. Thank you, also, to everyone who worked the event to ensure the safety of everyone visiting Downtown Norfolk that night. | |
PATHWAYS: "A VICIOUS CYCLE" SKIT | |
Earlier this month, the Programs Division and the Women of Pathways presented a short skit entitled “A Vicious Cycle” which depicted the role fentanyl plays in everyday society. The skit was written and produced by the women of the Pathways Program to bring attention to the current epidemic of deaths caused by fentanyl overdoses, both in our communities and institutions. The women in the skit are recovering addicts who have had the unfortunate front row seat to see what fentanyl has done to their friends and family. Kudos to the Program Team for overseeing the production and for assisting these women in their recovery. | | |
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Deputies E. Wells and K. Wells recently dressed up in their best holiday attire and walked around spreading holiday cheer and passing out candy canes.
Thank you both for this festive surprise and for bringing a little Christmas cheer to us all!
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SHOP WITH A DEPUTY SUCCESS! | |
Recently the manager of the Walmart on Military Highway approached Master Deputy Tardy about the possibility of hosting a Shop with a Deputy event. Master Deputy Tardy spoke to Community Affairs, sent out an email to those who work at Walmart, and before we knew it, the event was a GO! Through her contacts with Norfolk Public Schools, Julia Dunn was able to identify 10 children who would benefit from the program and on December 16, 2023 we partnered with Walmart for a Shop With a Deputy event. Walmart gave one $50 gift card to each child and the deputies were partnered with the children to help them pick out toys they would like for Christmas. The smiles on the faces of the children and the deputies speaks volumes about how fun and heartwarming this event was for all involved. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. We hope to expand the event next year so stay tuned for more details. | |
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Sheriff Baron recently received the following emails thanking members of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office for a job well done.
The first is an email from Sherri Carr with the Norfolk Public Defender’s Office. And the second is a letter from Pastors Rodney and Aretha Hammonds whose church was given turkeys at Thanksgiving.
Thank you all for the work you do and the difference you make in the community.
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The NSO Community Affairs Division is hosting a coat drive, collecting new and gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, to be donated to students at Norfolk Public Schools, from December 15-January 24th. Collection bins will be placed in the Loading Dock, Courts, and the Admin building lobby. They are accepting coats in all sizes (child and adult sizes).
If you have any questions, please contact Julia Dunn with Community Affairs at Julia.dunn@norfolk-sheriff.com or 757-441-1108.
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The Special Olympics Virginia Denim Days Fundraiser has been renewed! Once again in 2024, civilian staff will have the option to wear jeans on Fridays OR on Mondays and Fridays. The cost is $50 to wear jeans every Friday or $100 to wear jeans every Monday and Friday. All money raised will go directly to Special Olympics Virginia.
All money and the 2024 denim days form can be dropped off to Jamie Bastas in the Admin Building NO LATER than January 26, 2024.
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The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Special Olympics Committee will host a chili cookoff on January 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Rotunda on the 8th floor of the courthouse.
The cost is $10 per entry and the deadline to sign up and pay your entry fee is January 16, 2024. Payment can be dropped off to Jamie Bastas in the Admin Building.
50% of the entry fee will be donated to the NSO Polar Plunge team and the other 50% will be handed out in cash prizes.
Employees wanting to taste the chili and vote for their favorite can stop by the Rotunda and taste all of the chili entries and vote for $5. Then, if you find one you like, you can purchase a cup of chili for $3.
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Team NSO is registered for the 2024 Polar Plunge and we are looking for people to join our team. The 2024 Polar Plunge will be held on February 3, 2024 at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Participants must raise $100 in order to plunge, but money raised through fundraising could potentially cover some of the costs. In addition to the Polar Plunge, Special Olympics Virginia will be hosting a 5K on Friday, February 2, 2024 on the boardwalk.
Scan the QR code above to join the NSO Polar Plunge Team!
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The Norfolk Sheriff's Office Relay for Life Team will host a bowling tournament on February 17, 2024 at AMF Little Creek.
More information will be released closer to the date of the event. Stay tuned!
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Do you have something you would like to see included in the NSO Times? Email the information and accompanying pictures/graphics to
jamie.bastas@norfolk-sheriff.com.
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