By Debbie Hall
Henry County Sheriff’s deputies are getting a new look, with the rollout of a new uniform and shoulder patch unveiled on Wednesday. Asset forfeiture funds were tapped to help pay for the updated look while saving taxpayer money.
Sheriff Wayne Davis said he is always looking for ways to save taxpayer money. Because the asset forfeiture funds can be spent only according to a formula specified by law, the funds are being tapped to pay for new patches as part of the uniform upgrade.
Asset forfeiture funds are obtained through seizures from narcotics investigations, Davis said. “There are only three categories prescribed for the use of asset forfeiture funds: law enforcement training, buying equipment, or strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the community.”
Davis said he chose the latter because the office remains “committed to strengthening relationships, building trust, and working every day to keep Henry County a safe and united community.”
Specifically designed for the county, the new patch affixed to shirts represents “the values of this community and the values of the sheriff’s office,” Davis said.
The patch pays homage to the 248 years of the county’s history by displaying the year 1777, when the county was established. The word ‘SHERIFF,’ prominently featured at the top of the design, is a bold focal point, reinforcing “the clarity of our role and responsibility to those we serve.
“The inclusion of the American flag signifies our unwavering dedication to the principles and freedoms of our nation,” Davis said, and added the new patch also includes the phrase, “In God We Trust.”
“This phrase is the national motto of the United States of America. Its presence on our uniform serves as a reminder of the values that guide our service: faith, duty, and commitment to something greater than ourselves,” Davis said.
“This update is long overdue,” Davis said of the new charcoal gray uniforms that now replace the brown. In fact, Davis said the vendor that made the brown shirts alerted him that the shirts are no longer available. Law enforcement agencies in other areas — including the City of Martinsville Sheriff’s Office — previously switched uniforms, in part due to the same reason.
The uniform change ensures deputies present a professional and recognizable image.
The update reflects “our ongoing commitment to service, integrity, and professionalism,” Davis said. “These are more than updates to our look; they are symbols of our journey together as an agency and a community.”
