WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — The longtime Sheriff of Fayette County was sworn into a national post on Saturday.
Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth started his term today as the President of the National Sheriffs’ Association after being elected earlier this year. The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the law enforcement field. NSA is a key player in shaping national policy on critical criminal justice and homeland security issues important to the nation’s sheriffs, deputies, and police in the halls of Congress, US Courts, and at the White House.
In his position, Stanforth will have an office and staff in Washington D.C. and oversee the executive operations of the organization. He has supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of the Association and is a Trustee of the Corporation. He is responsible for the Association’s progress and outlines the law enforcement policies that guide the Association’s activities. Stanforth will continue to serve as Sheriff of Fayette County while in the position.
“It is an honor, a great honor,” Stanforth said at the ceremony. “I place this as such an aspect of our lives that this isn’t something I take lightly. I’ve had a lot of things behind me and I have a staff that’s been behind me for the last 25 years.”
Stanforth went on to say that the job of Sheriff is never easy.
“We own this situation, and we as law enforcement must own this,” Stanforth said about the heightened emotions that surround law enforcement today.
“The idea of being the National Sheriffs’ President was a bit challenging and daunting….I pledge to you, as an Association, my total commitment making sure this works, and make it work well. I’ve had such a privilege that the phone rings and it’s the White House, the phone rings and it’s the Governor, and the phone rings, and it’s my wife,” Stanforth said as the crowd chuckled.
Several colleagues attended the swearing in ceremony on Saturday, including Governor Mike DeWine. DeWine is a longtime friend of Stanforth. Before becoming Governor, DeWine served eight years alongside Stanforth as the Attorney General. Stanforth, who was first elected Fayette County Sheriff in 1997, has been chairman of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy since 2005.
“It was so great to see many of his law enforcement colleagues come out and support him today,” the Governor commented.
Stanforth is a Miami Trace High School graduate and attended Morehead State University, and completed Criminal Justice courses at the University of Louisville.
The Sheriff attended training and graduated from the FBI National Academy, National Sheriff’s Institute Executive Development, National Corrections Institute, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
He previously worked for the City of Washington Court House as a Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Administrator, Assistant Building Inspector and in the City Police Department as a dispatcher, patrolman, and jail administrator for many years.
Stanforth belongs to many local, state, and federal organizations. He has served as chairman on the Fayette County Life Squad Board of Directors and Ohio Homeland Security Advisory Council. He is past President of the Washington Court House Jaycees, Washington Court House Kiwanis, and the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association.
He has been a member of a host of other organizations such as the Fayette County Farm Bureau, Ohio Townships Association, Ohio Jail Advisory Committee, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Advisory Council.
As Sheriff of Fayette County, Stanforth has received many citations and awards such as the Life Time Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Crime Prevention Association, the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Concern of Police Survivors, the Gold Star Award from the Department of Corrections and Adult Parole Authority, the Exemplary Service to Victims of Crime Award, the AAA Community Safety Award, and the National Child Safety Council Award.
