John Cassell for Sheriff

“As Sheriff, I will give the citizens of Henry County my dedicated and loyal service and I will constantly strive to be proactive and to protect in a manner which is professional and ethical.

I will set the bar high for those that I lead and will expect nothing from the men and women under my command that I am unwilling to do myself.

As a community leader, I will lead by example. I will also expect to be held to the highest of standards by the citizens of Henry County because they should expect and demand nothing less.”

EXPERIENCE

• December 2018 – Present: Carilion Police Department Roanoke, VA, Police Officer – Sergeant (Shift Supervisor).
• October 2017 – November 2018, Garda-World Federal Services McLean, VA. Diplomatic Security Department of State Contractor Protective Security Specialist / Designated Defensive Marksman. (Top Secret Security Clearance).
• February 2002 – Retired October 2017. Henry County Sheriff’s Office Henry County, VA. Lieutenant of Professional Standards Div./Accreditation Manager (Special Weapons & Tactics Team Leader/Sniper).
• June 1997 – February 2002 – Martinsville Sheriff’s Office Martinsville, VA. Deputy Sheriff/Shift Sergeant. (Jail Emergency Response Team Leader).
• June 1993 – June 1997 – Memorial Hospital of Martinsville/Henry County Martinsville, VA. Security Officer.
• August 1989 – June 1993 –  Martinsville, VA, Sara Lee Knit Products. Armed Security Officer.

MILITARY SERVICE

• July 1986 – July 1989 – U.S. ARMY 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION Fort Bragg, NC, Airborne Rigger/Infantry; Rank E/4 Corporal

SPECIAL TRAINING

• Certified Designated Defensive Marksman (Sniper)
• Certified Protective Security Specialist
• Incident Command System (ICS-300 & 800)
• Department of Criminal Justice Certified General Instructor
• Distraction Devices, Chemical Munitions, and Specialty Impact Munitions Instructor
• Flashbang Instructor
• Background Investigation for Police Applicants Instructor
• ASP Tactical Baton Instructor
• Oleoresin Capsicum “OC” Instructor
• DCJS Certified Defensive Tactics Instructor
• DCJS Certified Firearms Instructor
• Pepperball Instructor
• Certified SWAT “Level 1” Team Leader
• Defensive Tactics Redman Suit Instructor
• Integrated Use of Force Instructor
• Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings Instructor
• WMD Tactical Operations Certified Instructor
• LE Active Shooter Emergency Response Instructor
• Legal/Liability Management for Tactical, SWAT, and
• Emergency Response Operations Trained
• Certified Patrol Rifle Instructor
• Glock Armorer’s Course
• Law Enforcement Sniper Certified
• Crime Scene Investigation School
• Criminal Investigator School
• The Reid Technique of Interviewing & Interrogation

EDUCATION

• Arizona State University, Tempe AZ, Master of Emergency Management/Homeland Security (2017). Overall GPA: 3.7 Honors: Cum Laude
• Averett University, Danville, VA, Master of Education (2008)
  Overall GPA: 3.6 Honors: Cum Laude
• Bluefield College, Bluefield, VA, Bachelor of Science Administration in Criminal Justice (2004) Overall GPA: 3.6 Honors: Cum Laude
• Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville, VA. A.A.S., Administration in Criminal Justice (1994) Overall GPA: 3.6 Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, Honors: Magna Cum Laude

ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS

• LE Officer of the Year 2014 – Henry County Sheriff’s Office
• Valor Commendation – Henry County Sheriff’s Office 2003
• “Employee of the Year 2000” – Martinsville Sheriff’s Office
• “Officer of the Year 2001” – Martinsville Sheriff’s Office
• Honor graduate in the NCO Leadership School, Ft. Bragg NC
• Army Achievement Medal
• Army Good Conduct Medal