Tony A. McFaddin Jr. currently serves as the sheriff for Rockbridge County and the city of Lexington, having been appointed to the office following the retirement of Sheriff Steve Funkhouser at the end of last year.
He brings to the office 30 years of experience, most of it with the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office. He’s served in a number of roles at the sheriff’s office, including as a special enforcement officer, a patrol deputy, a domestic violence/sexual assault investigator, a drug investigator, a K-9 deputy, and an investigations sergeant.
In 2007, he left the sheriff’s office to serve as an officer with the Virginia Conservation Police, rising to the rank of senior police officer with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries before returning to the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office in 2013.
In 2015, McFaddin was promoted to lieutenant and tasked with supervising investigations, special enforcement, and the Community Response Team. In 2016 he was selected by Sheriff Christopher Blalock to serve as his chief deputy, and was selected again for the role by Funkhouser in 2019.
Since being appointed sheriff, McFaddin has overseen efforts within the sheriff’s office to strengthen partnerships with schools, families and the community. Among the accomplishments are assigning a school resource deputy to every school in the division; implementing the Be Safe Virginia program and Safe Surfin’ Foundation Partnership program which focus on educating students on a variety of topics such as drug abuse and internet safety; reinstating the DARE program in schools; and starting a Seniors First community outreach program to provide resources to the community’s elder citizens.
“Whether through neighborhood events, school visits, senior programs, or public forums, we remain committed to being visible, accessible, and responsive,” McFaddin said. “By building trust, supporting families, and investing in our youth and seniors, we are laying the foundation for a safer, stronger, and more connected Rockbridge County and Lexington city.”
McFaddin believes that addressing drug-related offenses “requires a balanced approach; one that enforces the law, supports rehabilitation and strengthens prevention.” He told The News-Gazette that he plans to “continue to target drug trafficking and those who profit from addiction” and to work with regional and federal partners to disrupt supply chains.
“At the same time, I recognize that many drug-related offenses are driven by addiction,” he said. “That’s why I support programs that connect individuals to treatment and recovery resources instead of cycling them in and out of jail.
“By combining strong enforcement with prevention and rehabilitation, we can hold offenders accountable while also giving people a chance to turn their lives around,” he added. “Ultimately, my goal is to make Rockbridge County and Lexington city safer, healthier and more resilient.”
McFaddin is also committed to addressing domestic and interfamily crime within the county through continued training for all deputies in crisis intervention, de-escalation and trauma-informed response. He is also committed to strengthening partnerships with local service providers, shelters and victim advocates to connect families with resources and to work toward prevention of such crimes through education and community outreach.
“These crimes strike at the heart of family safety and dignity, and they demand our full attention,” he said. “That’s why we will ensure swift and professional responses that put victims first and hold offenders fully accountable. … My commitment is simple: every victim will be heard, protected, and supported, and every offender will be held accountable, because no one should ever feel unsafe in their own home.”
Additionally, McFaddin says that he will “prioritize working with our legislators to improve our criminal justice system and our mental health system.” He plans to advocate for removal of roadblocks and restrictions on proven law enforcement procedures and sentencing; to push for “stronger penalties on high-level traffickers, repeat offenders, and anyone who targets our children”; and to work closely with state leaders to secure more resources and funding to strengthen mental health services for the community “because strong mental health builds a stronger, safer community.
“As your sheriff, I’ll lead from the front – on the streets, in the courtroom, and in Richmond to make sure you have the protection and justice you deserve,” he said about his message to voters. “I want voters to know that this campaign isn’t about politics. It’s about people, safety, and service. I’m not running to be a figurehead. I’m running to remain a working sheriff who is visible, accessible, and accountable to every corner of Rockbridge County and Lexington city.”
