History

The Culpeper Sheriff’s Office was established in 1761, under the direction of Sheriff  William Brown.  The Colonial Sheriff who was appointed performed many functions, to include levying fines, collecting debts and taxes, executing warrants and writs, summoning juries, transporting and housing prisoners for trial, and superintending elections.  So powerful was the office of Sheriff that terms were normally limited to one year.

In the early days the building located at 132 West Davis Street was part of the jail.  The jailor and his family lived at the jail and his wife’s primary function was to cook for the inmates.

In 1987, under Sheriff R. E. Peters’ administration, a new addition to the jail was added to the building, increasing the bed capacity from sixteen to thirty-four. Currently, the rated capacity in the jail is thirty-seven.

In 1997, under the administration of Sheriff Roger Mitchell, the building that was previously to Virginia Unemployment Office was purchased by the County and the office was then expanded. 

The new building houses the Records Management Center, the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations, and the Crime Prevention Division.

Today, the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office has grown to its current staff of approximately 95 sworn deputies, and 25 civilian personnel to keep up with the County’s increasing population and progress.