VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (VBSO) today held its 62nd Basic Academy Class (BAC) graduation, recognizing 18 deputy recruits’ successful completion of training. The ceremony included presentation of the inaugural Ken Stolle Innovator Award.
The graduating class included recruits from all walks of life—one-third (six total) are military veterans who served in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army Reserve and Air Force. One was hired through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program following 21 years in the U.S. Navy. Others had backgrounds in construction, retail, commercial truck driving, insurance sales, landscaping and corrections. They included a former VBSO kitchen manager, a bar back at The Shack and a native of Columbia who was a National Police Officer.
BAC 62 distinguished itself by having one of the highest grade point averages in recent history: 96%.
Family, friends, city leadership, former Sheriff Ken Stolle and VBSO staff attended the ceremony at Neptune’s Park on 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue, with Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin Stolle delivering the keynote address. Peer Support Team Lt. Ryan Velazquez won the inaugural Ken Stolle Innovator Award for his work on wellness initiatives at the VBSO.
“As we gather here under the watchful eye of King Neptune on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, please take a moment to realize all our great city has to offer, including being regarded as one of the safest large cities of its size. And folks, we just got a little bit safer today with 18 new crimefighters,” said Holcomb. “You, the newly sworn deputy sheriffs, you have been called upon to clearly draw the battle lines between those who seek to do harm and the innocent. … I am confident that each of you are trained, prepared and ready to meet this challenge.”
The VBSO Basic Academy includes training in Virginia law, arrest procedures, ethics, cultural diversity, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, first aid, crisis intervention (mental health) and more, spanning 80 classes and 500 hours over 17+ weeks. The graduates also complete rigorous physical fitness training and courses pertaining to the sheriff’s office’s core operations: Corrections, Court Transportation and Security, and Civil Process. They each successfully met the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services requirements for graduation and have earned their Basic Jailer, Court Security and Civil Process certifications.
The BAC 62 deputies will be assigned to Correctional Operations and bring the total number of sworn deputy sheriffs to 393.
“You, the modern-day deputy sheriff, without fear, hesitation or reservation, it is you, the deputy sheriff, who will allow us to sleep peacefully at night,” said Holcomb. “I say to each of you as you go forward in your career: be brave, be bold and be fearless in this noble profession you have chosen.”
The VBSO is hiring deputy sheriff recruits, with the next testing date scheduled for July 7. Effective July 9, the starting salary for deputy recruits will be $58,302.40 and $61,734.40 for deputy sheriffs after graduation from the Basic Academy, plus benefits. To learn more about joining Team VBSO, visit vbso.net/sworn-positions or email recruitment@vbso.net .
The Ken Stolle Innovator Award honors former Sheriff Ken Stolle, a visionary leader who consistently turned bold ideas into meaningful progress for the VBSO, City of Virginia Beach and Commonwealth of Virginia. Stolle served the public for 43 years prior to his retirement in 2023, including 13 years as sheriff. He was a champion for public safety and mental health reform, and his legacy of innovation continues to shape the VBSO.
Velazquez received the award for his efforts to address staff wellness through training and in-person activities aimed at resetting the mind and body and coping with job stressors in a healthy manner, said Lt. Timothy Grindle in presenting the award. Velazquez’s wife accepted on his behalf because he is at training.
“His tireless efforts in addressing the mental and physical health of VBSO staff will have a lasting impact and pave the way for others to do the same in their respective professions,” said Grindle.
The ceremony was live streamed on Facebook and is available to watch at facebook.com/vbsheriffsoffice .
###