Edition: February 2026

As we move into March, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the dedication, professionalism, and heart you bring to our agency every day.

We have several upcoming events on the calendar, and I strongly encourage you to consider volunteering your time and talents. Whether supporting community outreach efforts or participating in internal initiatives, volunteerism strengthens our agency, builds trust, and reflects the values we stand for. Your involvement makes a difference and demonstrates our commitment beyond the badge.

I am especially excited about the Staff Morale and Engagement Team. Bringing people together outside of daily assignments fosters stronger relationships, improves communication, and enhances the culture of our organization. I look forward to seeing this team continue to grow and to watching more of you get involved.

Please take the time to carefully review the information included in this newsletter. It contains important updates, event details, and opportunities that directly impact you and our operations. Staying informed ensures we remain aligned, prepared, and connected as one team.

Thank you for all that you do for this agency and for the community we proudly serve. I am grateful for your continued commitment and look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.



Stay safe and take care of one another.

During Black History Month and every day, we proudly recognize the diverse men and women within our ranks-both sworn and civilian. From professional excellence to volunteerism, mentorship, and community outreach we are grateful for their service and integrity which strengthens our organization and the community we serve. Thank you for all you do!

Congratulations to Lt. J. Serrano on his recent certification through the VSI Certification Program making him only the fifth NSO employee to achieve this certification. Certification through this voluntary program provides recognition of the professional knowledge and commitment to excellence, life-long learning, and advancement of public safety as a profession.

Lt. Serrano will be recognized during the VSI Spring Conference in April and will receive his certificate of certification alongside others from around the Commonwealth.

Thank you to all of our staff for your continued service and for a job well done!

S. Thomson - Continuous Service - 10 Years

Sr. Deputy J. Jewell - Continuous Service - 15 Years

Sgt. K. Meacom - Continuous Service - 15 Years

Master Deputy H. Demillo - Continuous Service - 20 Years

Master Deputy D. Hayes - Continuous Service - 25 Years

N. Perry - Good Conduct Award

B. Grimes - Continuous Service - 10 Years

S. Jackson - Continuous Service - 20 Years, Civilian of the 3rd Quarter, & Civilian of the Year

J. Dunn - 10 Years

Sgt. B. Hines - Continuous Service - 10 Years

We are excited to share that we are launching a new initiative: the NSO Staff Morale & Engagement Team.

The goal of this initiative is simple, but important - to strengthen morale, build connection, and create more opportunities for staff to engage with one another through shared interests, team-building activities, and positive workplace initiatives (think spirit days!) Sheriff Baron recently stated that he would like to bring employees together and he recognizes that a strong, supported, and connected team is essential to a healthy and productive work environment.

The NSO Staff Morale and Engagement Team will focus on ideas and activities that encourage bringing people together. For example: book clubs, movie nights, trivia nights, etc. or through pop-up events like those already hosted by the NSO Run/Lift Club and the LEO Grappler's and Muay Thai Club.

Whether through informal events, interest-based groups, or morale boosting efforts, the intent is to make coming to work more engaging and rewarding.

Please note, the Staff Morale & Engagement Team events are separate from the Employee Fund, therefore any costs associated with these events will not be covered by the agency.

More details will be shared soon regarding participation opportunities and upcoming initiatives. We're looking forward to seeing where this goes and we welcome ideas from across the organization. 

Thank you for everything you do each day, and for helping make our workplace a positive and supportive environment. 

Are you interested in joining the NSO Run/Lift Club? Each month, members of the NSO get together for group runs at area parks (Mount Trashmore, etc.) and workout sessions at the NSO Gym (inside the Public Safety Building). If you are looking for a good workout routine or an accountability buddy, this might be the perfect fit for you. Please join the NSO Run/Lift Club Facebook group to find out about upcoming events. If you have any questions, please contact Sgt. B. Hines at brandon.hines@norfolk-sheriff.com

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Spirit Days during the month of February. The Staff Morale and Engagement Team has created the spirt days to focus on fun ways for civilian personnel to celebrate holidays and showoff a little bit of their personality (including their favorite football teams!)

We are looking forward to seeing pictures from other spirit days scheduled throughout the year!

Registration for the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Virginia is OPEN!

The Norfolk leg of the LETR will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

This year's plan will be the same as last year and we will be running a total of 5.4 miles. We will meet VBPD/VBSO to pass the torch at Eastern Truck and Accessories on Virginia Beach Blvd. and then run the torch to Harbor Park.

For the Norfolk leg of the race Team Norfolk (NSO/NPD/ODU PD/City of Norfolk) will be running down VB Blvd. to Park Ave. Turning left on Park Ave. and running the torch into Harbor Park. The halfway point of the route will be NPD POC (Police Operations Center) where people can drop off or join, if necessary. The run will begin at Eastern Truck and Accessories at approximately 9:00 a.m.

LETR is one of the largest fundraisers and partnerships between Special Olympics and law enforcement. We have funds to cover the $25 registration fee for the first 25 people who sign up. If you are interested in participating, please let Jamie Bastas know ASAP.  Once your interest email is received, you will be given the information about how to register along with the promo code. The 25 promo codes will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Thank you for your continued support of Special Olympics Virginia.

At the beginning of February, members of Team NSO participated in the 2026 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Virginia - which turned out to be the coldest Polar Plunge to date. Captain Pestik and Master Deputy Parker participated in the 5K Run/Waddle on the Boardwalk Friday night (in the snow). Then on Saturday, Captain Pestik, Lieutenant LaPorte, and Master Deputy Parker participated in the Polar Plunge.

Our Polar Plunge team may have been small, but they were mighty - raising over $1600 as part of Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia.

Thank you to everyone who donated and supported our team!

On February 21st NSO personnel participated in the Schock and Shivers 5K hosted by the Chesapeake Police Department. The race was held in memory of Officer Brian Schock and Detective Jarrod Shivers. Both were members of the Chesapeake Police Department who were killed in the line of duty in 2011 and 2008, respectively.

Team NSO and the Guardians of Norfolk Bike Team are gearing up once again for the Law Enforcement United (LEU) 250-mile bike ride from Chesapeake to Washington, D.C. The ride, known as the Road to Hope, kicks off Police Week activities and serves as a way to honor and remember those we have lost. Our team is riding in memory of NSO’s own Cpl. Gibran Barclift who died in the line duty in 2017.

This year we have eight riders and one motors escort participating in the Road to Hope: LT. Col. C. Adams, Lt. A. Tolbert, Sgt. E. Little, M/Dep. R. Parker, M/Dep. A Tardy, M/Dep. H. Chisholm, S/Dep D. Tolbert, and Dep. S. McDonald. M/Dep. P. McKeon serves as a motors escort for the ride.

Over the next couple of months, LEU Team members will be holding a number of fundraising events to raise money to cover the costs for their portion of the ride. Please see below for information on two current raffles.

Master Deputy A. Tardy is selling raffle tickets for two different raffles.

Raffle #1 is a Mantis Laser Academy Training Kit.

Raffle #2 is a Get Ready for Re-qual Raffle featuring the TitanX.

Tickets for both raffles will be sold until March 15, 2026, which is when the drawing will be held.

Tickets are 3 for $20 or Master Deputy Tardy's arm length for $30.

Please contact M/Dep. Tardy if you have any questions.

Senior Deputy D. Tolbert is holding a raffle for a New Year, New Me gift basket to raise money for the 2026 LEU Memorial Bike Ride. Tickets are 1 for $10 or 3 for $20.

Please contact S/Dep Tolbert with questions and to purchase tickets. 

Colonel O'Toole and Lieutenant Serrano recently stopped by Maury High School to deliver a check from the Sheriff Joe Baron Foundation to Maury High School Football Coach Dyrri McCain. The money will be used to buy jerseys and equipment for the Maury High School football program.

This donation to Maury Football from the Sheriff Joe Baron Foundation is another example of how donations to the Sheriff Joe Baron Foundation are being put back into our community and helping area youth.

The Norfolk Sheriff's Office Administration Building will be (temporarily) moving!

While we are unsure of the exact date the current Admin building will close and all personnel will move out, we can say without a doubt it will be happening soon.

Once the move takes place the new (temporary) location of the Admin Building will be 538 Front Street Norfolk, VA 23510.

As a reminder, the Training Division is planning to hold Remedial Firearms Training (Hour of Power) twice during the month of March; March 4 and March 25. 

Training will take place in the Court Building Training Room on the first floor of the courthouse from 1430-1530.

Please notify the Training Division at training@norfolk-sheriff.com if you are planning to attend either of these dates in March. 

For additional information, please refer to Memo 26-008 in PowerDMS.

The NSO Community Affairs Division is receiving an increasing number of requests for community events as the year progresses. They have a running list of upcoming events and are looking for volunteers to help. If you are interested in assisting, please contact the Community Affairs Division at commaffairs@norfolk-sheriff.com to have your name added to the volunteer distribution list.

2/1 - 4/30 - SPRING CLEANING FOR A CAUSE DROP-OFFS

3/13/26 - SHERIFF BARON'S BIRTHDAY

3/14/26 - OCEAN VIEW ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE (**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED**)

3/25/26 - SPECIAL OLYMPICS DAY AT ALL JERSEY MIKE'S LOCATIONS

3/31/26 - SPECIAL OLYMPICS LITTLE FEET MEET AT ODU

(**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED**)

4/18/26 - NATO PARADE

(**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED**)

4/18/26 - PRIORITY CHARITY BOWL EVENT

(**SWORN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SECURITY**)

5/14/26 - 77TH SESSION

ACADEMY GRADUATION

6/3/26 - LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

6/15-6/18/26 - SPORTS CAMPS

6/22-6/26/26 - SUMMER CAMP WEEK 1 (**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED**)

6/29-7/3/26 - SUMMER CAMP WEEK 2 (**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED**)

8/9-8/15/26 - CAMP HOPE NORFOLK

9/30/26 - SENIOR FEST

MISSION BBQ will be delivering food for employees on various days throughout March, April, and May. We are still waiting on confirmation from Mission BBQ for exact dates, but will send out information as soon as all of the details are ironed out.

Visit any Jersey Mike's location on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 for the Jersey Mike's Day of Giving. 100% of the day's profits will be donated to Special Olympics Virginia.

There are 15 Jersey Mike's locations on the Southside and 6 on the Peninsula and all of them are participating in this worthy cause!

The annual Spring Cleaning for a Cause event is underway. From February 1 through April 30, 2026 drop off new or gently used items in the collection bins at Admin, the Loading Dock, and Courts for animals and people in need. During these three months you can bring in any of the items listed on the flyer above and Community Affairs will collect, sort, and deliver the items to local non-profits on May 1, 2026.

Please click the button below to view the flyer for the 2026 Law & Disorderly Bowling Tournament scheduled for Saturday, March 28^th at AMF Norfolk Lanes located at 2400 E. Little Creek Road.

Please email your team form to robertwash227@yahoo.com. Forms must be submitted no later than March 25^th. 

THE NEXT "MEET ME IN THE PAINT" BASKETBALL GAME WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026

EVENT STARTS AT 5 P.M.; PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL WHO WILL BE PLAYING ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE BY 4:30 P.M.

We have the opportunity to participate in an exciting new initiative with Norfolk Parks and Rec, Norfolk PD, and Norfolk Park Rangers. 

New in 2026 the Titustown Recreation Center is hosting quarterly "Meet Me In the Paint" basketball games and conversation with youth in our community. 

Youth LOVE playing basketball and being able to "meet them in the paint" where their heart is will help build relationships between youth and law enforcement. While the basketball part of it is so much fun, the most important part is what happens after. From 7-8 pm, Titustown Rec Center will provide food to everyone who participates and provide an opportunity for law enforcement to talk with the youth. Conversation topics can be about police interactions and perceptions, gang violence, bullying, drugs, safety, and more! 

We are looking for a people who would be interested in participating in these events. If you are interested or have any questions, please email Lt. Serrano at juan.serrano@norfolk-sheriff.com. He will compile a list of interested participants and keep you posted on next steps. 

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. The Foundation serves as 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 website and a Facebook page. Please visit the links below and help us spread the word about the Foundation and all the work we are doing in the community! 

• Senior Deputy M. Allain
• Deputy E. Atkins
• Senior Deputy A. Ayers
• Deputy Recruit D. Banks
• Sheriff J. Baron
• Sgt. M. Bibbins
• Master Deputy D. Boyles
• Deputy J. Branning
• Master Deputy A. Burchette
• Deputy A. Cassanova
• Lt. S. Cleek
• Senior Deputy M. Dehollander
• Master Deputy J. Drowns
• Julia Dunn
• Sgt. D. Frye

• Deputy S. Harris
• Deputy N. Heyward
• Sgt. J. Johnson
• Deputy Recruit J. Kerzanet
• Deputy T. Matthews
• Richard McDaniel
• Deputy C. Mills
• Senior Deputy S. Salanick
• Senior Deputy S. Valencia
• Deputy C. Vance
• Diante Walton
• Harold Wilson
• Bryan Yankosky

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.