Sheriff

As the Sheriff of Fayette County, I’d like to welcome you to our website. The Office of Sheriff in Ohio is unique in that the Sheriff is the only elected law enforcement official in the State. With its origin in medieval times, the Office of Sheriff is the only remaining law enforcement Office in the United States decided by the electoral process.

Derived from the Ohio Revised Code, the Sheriff is empowered as the chief law enforcement officer of the county, and is tasked with the authority to oversee law enforcement, court security, jail operations, civil process, communications, 9-1-1 dispatch, investigations, traffic enforcement and crash investigations. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office employees approximately 40-45 full time employees, supplemented by reserve or auxiliary Deputies. The entire staff is hard working and dedicated to ensure Fayette County is a safe place for you and your family to live and work. The 406 square miles of Fayette County is patrolled by our road deputies who investigate complaints and answer your calls for service. Our Detective Bureau handles felony investigations, co-ordinates with the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office, Washington City Solicitor, and Fayette County Courts for successful prosecutions. Detectives along with Patrol Deputies register and monitor sex offenders residing, working, or attending schools in Fayette County. The Deputies working in the Communications Center of the Sheriff’s Office answer telephone calls including all 9-1-1 requests, and dispatches or transfer calls to law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies. The Corrections Deputies provide a safe, clean and secure and controlled environment correctional facility, which houses 50-60 inmates daily. Deputies assigned to Court Services provide security within the courts and courthouse as well as coordinate transport between the courts, jails, state prison system and extradited prisoners. Specialty units include Crash Reconstruction, Special Assault Response Team, Emergency Response Unit, and Motor Unit. A Deputy is assigned as a Drug Abuse Résistance Education instructor for the Miami Trace Schools and also provides services as School Resource Officer for the entire campus. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office participates in the US 23 Pipeline Major Crimes Task Force, to join resources with surrounding county and municipal agencies for drug and major crime investigations. The Fayette County Sheriff also oversee the Fayette County Dog Shelter and Dog Wardens. The Sheriff also issues Concealed Carry Handgun Licenses.
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​ I am proud to serve as your Sheriff and look forward to continue to provide you with exemplary service.
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​Vernon P. Stanforth,
​Your Sheriff