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V

irginia

C

apitol

C

onnections

, S

pring

2016

12

We were leaving the Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast, and

Richard Vaughan picked up an extra copy of the program.

“I’m going to give this to my pastor,” he said. That small gesture

gives a glimpse of who this man is, and how he can cope with the

challenges of his chosen life.

What challenges? His career sounds like something out of NBC’s

Dateline.Vaughan, a gentle man of 46, is the sheriff of Grayson County,

Virginia, and had to work a triple homicide right out of the gate. After

careful investigation, Freddie Hammer was convicted of not only this

crime—but many more.

Killers don’t come much colder than Freddie Hammer, who is

serving eight life sentences inWallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone

Gap. He has admitted to more than a dozen murders, and may have

committed up to 17.

But before all that, soon after the emergency call was dispatched,

Vaughan, the new sheriff in town, was sitting at the suspect’s kitchen

table, staring at this alleged serial killer dressed in an undershirt and

boxer shorts. Known as a “mind-gamer,” Hammer was smart, and at

this moment, pleasant and jovial. Just like any self-respecting con man,

he was calmly detailing his alibi.

Unlucky for Hammer, Vaughan had completed excellent training

at two community colleges, earned a degree at Bluefield College, and

trained at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy. He

knew how to conduct an effective investigation, collect evidence, and

follow it all the way to conviction. Or, should we say, in this case,

multiple convictions. Hammer’s eventual total was seven counts of

capital murder.

After an initiation like that, one would expect to meet a sheriff

who is gruff and jaded. Not so. One could describe him as cheerful and

grounded—and also possessing the confidence that is expected from

one in law enforcement.

“I always try to treat people like I want to be treated,” saidVaughan.

And there you have it. A short course for a survivor, in law enforcement

and in life.

Vaughan is inspired by author Dave Grossman, who specializes

in the study of the psychology of killing. He is a retired Army

lieutenant colonel and

has written three books

advising soldiers and

law enforcement officers

how to make themselves

p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y

“bulletproof.” Vaughan is

also a religious man. He

and his family are very

active in his church, the

Fries Pentecostal Holiness

Church. Vaughan and

his wife, Amy, have two

children.

Now in his second

term as Sheriff, Vaughan

has

reached

another

professional milestone. He has been elected President of the Virginia

Sheriff’s Association (VSA), an organization of 8,900 members who

are sheriffs and deputy sheriffs. TheVSA advocates for state legislation

that will help those in this profession, including support staff. One of

the priorities is raising the salaries for deputies. Vaughan said that the

current salaries are so low that “a lot of them get food stamps.”

Other issues include: creation of police forces, drug forfeiture

funding, minimum qualifications, legal defense, staffing standards,

courtroom security, and retirement.

Eddie Hammer was proven to be a very dangerous criminal, and

he wasn’t the last that Vaughan would encounter. If there is a silver

lining to the story, it is that SheriffVaughan and his colleagues are up to

the challenge of keeping Virginians safe, bringing the guilty to justice,

watching the backs of their own, and keeping their life in balance as

they do it.

Bonnie Atwood, a freelance writer with Tall Poppies Freelance

Writing LLC, is the winner of 30 national and state writing awards,

and represents legislative clients with David Bailey Associates. She

can be reached at

BonAtwood@verizon.net .

Legislative Counsel

John G. “Chip” Dicks

FutureLaw, LLC

1802 Bayberry Court, Suite 403

Richmond, Virginia 23226

(804) 225-5507 (Direct Dial)

chipdicks@futurelaw.net

(804) 225-5508 (Fax)

www.futurelaw.net

As part of the national and statewide observance of Public

Service Recognition Week during the first week of May, the

Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) will present its second

annual Employee Educational and Information Fair. This event

brings to our employees representatives from many and varied state

agencies, businesses, and other organizations that provide important

information that impacts daily living. The purpose of our fair is to

provide access to education and information in an interactive, fun

format.

Among this year’s 15 participants are

the Virginia Credit Union, the Virginia

Department of Conservation and Recreation,

and the Virginia Department of Vital Records.

The Virginia Tourism Authority will again

provide free promotional items from their

“Virginia Is for Lovers” campaign.

VEC’s theme for this year is “Thanks

for Your Commitment to Our Customers.”

The theme expresses appreciation of our

employees while acknowledging their

dedication to serving our customers with

efficiency and compassion. Last year, more

than 400 VEC central office employees

participated

and

received

first-hand

information about topics such as preparing for

natural disasters, becoming more conscious of conserving energy,

and planning outdoor adventures in our beautiful state parks.

The employees of the VEC exemplify the ideals of the

Commonwealth in providing stellar service to its citizens. Hosting

the fair is a simple measure of extending our gratitude for their hard

work and public service.

Submitted by Ellen Marie Hess, Commissioner

VEC Plans Public Service Recognition Week Event

There’s a new Sheriff’s Association president in town

By Bonnie Atwood

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