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Virginia Sheriffs' Institute
Supporting Virginia’s Sheriffs & Deputies

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office celebrates as students return to school. Additionally, the sheriff’s office has received numerous gifts from community members. Recently, the sheriff’s office has received gifts from the Cosmato family, Strong Tower Ministries, an anonymous donor, and a young boy named Cody. The members of the sheriff’s office sincerely thank all of these people for their kindness and generosity. It is a huge blessing to have so many signs of support. Additionally, Deputy Carr had two students from Sontag Elementary School participate in a ride along. Lastly, the sheriff’s office prepares for the Fall 2020 We Care ATV Ride.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Participates in Successful Back-to-School Week

Recently, Franklin County Public Schools began instruction again. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was so excited to see all of the kids’ faces as they returned to school! It was a very different atmosphere, with new restrictions and precautions implemented, but it was good to be back. To all of our children who are at home with virtual learning: We miss you and we hope to see you all again soon!

“You’re off to great places, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss

 

Cosmato Family Gifts Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Not long ago, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a wonderful assortment of gifts from the Cosmato Family. Patrick and Donna have been supporting the Office of the Sheriff for several years with their fantastic offerings of food and such. This time, they brought Cookies For Cops, gift-filled coffee mugs, blankets for deputies to utilize out in the field, and much more. Donna spoke of their heartbeat for Franklin County’s deputies and the entire sheriff’s office. “This is a passion and calling for us,” she stated. Sheriff Overton said, “We are so grateful for this outpouring of love. We thank Donna and Patrick for their ministry of giving.

Pictured: Franklin County Sheriff Bill Overton with Donna and Patrick Cosmato
Pictured: Franklin County Sheriff Bill Overton with Donna and Patrick Cosmato

 

Strong Tower Ministries Donates Gift to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Recently, the founders of Strong Tower Ministries stopped by the sheriff’s office to deliver a handmade painting as a gift and sign of support.

Each color in the painting has a specific meaning: the teal represents PTSD and Mental Health Awareness for first responders, the black represents the darkness that police officers are faced with, the red represents the blood shed by law enforcement in the line of duty, and blue represents support for all law enforcement.

The Office of the Sheriff thanks Strong Tower Ministries for their support and encouragement.

Pictures L-R: Captain Ken Holland, Deck Hardee (co-founder STM), Dave Herald (co-founder STM), and Major Justin Sigmon
Pictures L-R: Captain Ken Holland, Deck Hardee (co-founder STM), Dave Herald (co-founder STM), and Major Justin Sigmon
Strong Tower Ministries Gifts Handmade Painting to FCSO
Strong Tower Ministries Gifts Handmade Painting to FCSO

 

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Thanks Anonymous Donor

Recently, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from the local Pizza Hut. The store’s management asked for a deputy to come down and pick up 6-7 pizzas. This food was gifted by an anonymous donor.

The sheriff’s office is so grateful for being surrounded by such a supportive community. We are very thankful for this wonderful gift.

 

Local Youth Gifts Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

The Office of the Sheriff received a special food gifting recently. Thank you from the very bottoms of our hearts to Cody and his parents for delivering three dozen Krispy Kreme donuts to our office today. Cody heard about how some of our deputies were treated lately, and asked his parents if he could use his own money to buy us a treat.

Thank you so much, Cody. It was a pleasure to meet you.

Pictured: Cody and E911 Dispatcher, Megan Shiner.
Pictured: Cody and E911 Dispatcher, Megan Shiner.

 

Franklin County Students Win Ride Along with Deputy

Back in February 2020, the Sontag Elementary School PTO held a fundraiser auction to raise money for purchasing new playground equipment for their school. Items for the auction were donated from local and state businesses, artists, and vendors.

The Office of the Sheriff contributed to this auction by presenting a certificate that would allow parents to bid on a ride along for their child. This would include either taking the child from home to school in the morning or picking the child up from school and taking them home in the evening.

On Monday, September 14th, two youngsters from Sontag Elementary School got to cash in on this prize from their parents! Ethan and Evelyn were picked up from school by Deputy Carr, given the chance to see the inside of a E911 Communications Center, and got to experience all of the cool gadgets inside of the police car!

It was great to see the positive interaction between the kids. While this was an exciting time for Ethan and Evelyn, it was also encouraging to the deputy.

“The kids had a blast! Thank you for the opportunity to do this,” said Deputy Carr. The sheriff’s office would like to give a big “thank you” to Deputy Carr, Ethan and Evelyn, their parents, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s E911 Center for making this possible.

Evelyn on her ride along with Franklin County Deputy Carr
Evelyn on her ride along with Franklin County Deputy Carr
Ethan on his ride along with Franklin County Deputy Carr
Ethan on his ride along with Franklin County Deputy Carr

 

Fall 2020 We Care ATV Ride

Once again, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the We Care ATV Fall Ride, coming up on Saturday, October 10th.

This semi-annual event will start from their usual spot at Park Ridge Sub-Division just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near/at Milepost 148. Rides will begin around 10AM, so organizers are asking everyone to be unloaded and fueled by 9:30AM.

The ride benefits We Care of Franklin County, whose mission is to help needy families in Franklin county. This year’s spring ride raised over $1,400 for the charity. If you would like to join in or if have questions, contact Harry Clingenpeel at 540-493-2643.

Harry Clingenpeel, retired Major of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, said, “This ATV ride is completely free, but we ask for donations. These monies help We Care in assisting families in Franklin County, plus 100% of all funds raised go to the cause. There are zero administrative charges. We always have a wonderful time riding nearly 50 miles for the day, so we would love to see a large turnout in October as we had in the spring.”

Spring 2020 We Care ATV Ride
Spring 2020 We Care ATV Ride

 

Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles Says “Slow Down”

Virginia DMV states that traffic deaths due to speeding are up 20% from 2019. They are working with law enforcement partners to get this message out.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office asks that all residents slow down and buckle up while driving. Please do your part to arrive home safely to your families, and to let other do the same.

Speed-related deaths increased almost 20% compared to this time last year in Virginia.
Slow down. Speed-related deaths increased almost 20% compared to this time last year in Virginia. Visit TZDVA.org for more safe driving information.