Standing Watch - Office of the Sheriff, Franklin County, Va

09/17/2026

TOMORROW!
10AM - 2PM
ESSIG CENTER

We are less than a week away from the largest Senior Expo in Southwest Virginia!
Franklin County Office of Aging Senior Expo
Essig Recreation Center
Thursday September 17th 10am-2pm

*This is a rain or shine event*
Hope to see you there😀😀

09/15/2026

🚜🌾 HARVEST SEASON IS HERE — SHARE THE ROAD, FRANKLIN COUNTY!

It’s that time of year again. As farmers across Franklin County work to bring in their crops, drivers should expect to encounter more slow-moving tractors, combines and other farm equipment on our rural roads.

The Franklin County Office of the Sheriff and Sheriff Bill Overton remind motorists that a little patience can go a long way toward keeping both drivers and our farming community safe.

🚜 SLOW DOWN EARLY. Farm equipment may be moving much slower than you expect. Reduce your speed as soon as you see it ahead.

↔️ LEAVE EXTRA FOLLOWING DISTANCE. Give yourself plenty of room to react and give the equipment operator room to maneuver.

⚠️ DON’T PASS UNLESS IT’S LEGAL AND SAFE. Never attempt to pass when your view is obstructed by hills, curves or oncoming traffic.

👀 WATCH FOR WIDE TURNS. Large farm equipment may need to swing left before making a right turn. Don’t assume an operator is pulling over to let you pass.

🌾 WATCH FOR EQUIPMENT ENTERING OR LEAVING FIELDS. Be especially alert on rural roads and near farms.

Remember, the person driving that tractor or combine is doing their job — and trying to get home safely, too.

A few extra seconds of patience behind slow-moving equipment is a small price to pay to prevent a serious crash.

🚨 Emergency: 911
📞 Non-Emergency Dispatch: (540) 483-3000
📞 Franklin County Office of the Sheriff: (540) 483-3000

SHARE THE ROAD. BE PATIENT. GET HOME SAFELY.

— The Franklin County Office of the Sheriff and Sheriff Bill Overton

09/12/2026

🚨 THE RESULTS ARE IN! HOW MANY DID YOU SPOT? 👀

Earlier today, we challenged you to find the safety hazards hiding in this everyday scene. Here are the 8 hazards we spotted!

1️⃣ Extension cord in the walkway — trip hazard
2️⃣ Dog gate left open
3️⃣ Child riding without a helmet
4️⃣ Bicycle left in the driveway
5️⃣ Grill too close to the house/porch
6️⃣ Unsecured ladder — and the wrong height for the task
7️⃣ Children sitting too close to the fire
8️⃣ Distracted washing leaving water on the ground — slip hazard

How did you do? 8 out of 8? Or did one of these sneak past you? 😄

The point of our Spot the Safety Hazard challenges is simple: accidents often begin with something small that we overlook. An extension cord across a walkway. A bike left where someone can trip over it. A ladder used incorrectly. A few extra feet between a fire and where people are sitting.

👀 Being aware of your surroundings can prevent an accident before it happens.

SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S JOB.
Stay alert. Stay safe. Look out for one another.

🚨 Emergency: 911
📞 Non-Emergency Dispatch: (540) 483-3000
📞 Franklin County Office of the Sheriff: (540) 483-3000

Thanks for playing, Franklin County! ⭐

— Sheriff Bill Overton
Franklin County Office of the Sheriff

09/12/2026

🚨👀 CAN YOU SPOT THE SAFETY HAZARDS?

It’s time for another Franklin County Safety Challenge!

Take a close look at the picture. It may look like an ordinary day around the house—but there are quite a few things happening that could turn an ordinary Saturday into a trip to the emergency room… or worse.

🔎 HOW MANY SAFETY HAZARDS CAN YOU FIND?

Look high. Look low. Check the driveway, the garage, the yard and everywhere in between. Some are pretty obvious. Others might take a second look. 👀

💬 Drop the hazards you spot in the comments!
But don’t give away all the answers—let everyone else have a chance to play, too!

📅 We’ll post the answers later today.

These challenges are fun, but there’s a serious reason behind them: many injuries and accidents around the home are preventable when we slow down, pay attention and recognize a hazard before someone gets hurt.

Need assistance from the Franklin County Office of the Sheriff?

🚨 Emergency: 911
📞 Non-Emergency Dispatch: (540) 483-3000
📞 Franklin County Office of the Sheriff: (540) 483-3000

Now… how many can YOU find? 🔎👀

— Sheriff Bill Overton
Franklin County Office of the Sheriff

09/11/2026

On this 25th anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, we remember.

We remember the 2,977 lives lost that day.

We remember the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel and other first responders who ran toward danger while others were trying to escape it.

We remember the ordinary Americans who, in extraordinary circumstances, showed remarkable courage and compassion.

We remember the families who said goodbye that morning without knowing it would be the last time—and whose lives were forever changed.

And we remember what happened in the days that followed: Americans stood together. We helped our neighbors. We honored our heroes. We grieved together. And in the face of unimaginable tragedy, we reminded the world of the strength and resilience of the American people.

Twenty-five years have passed, but our responsibility to remember has not.

Today, Sheriff Bill Overton and the Franklin County Office of the Sheriff join our community and our nation in honoring those we lost, those who served, those who sacrificed and all who continue to carry the memories of that day.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

09/09/2026

🚨 IF THE POWER WENT OUT TONIGHT… WOULD YOU BE READY?

September is National Preparedness Month, and Sheriff Bill Overton and the Franklin County Office of the Sheriff are encouraging Franklin County families to take one important step toward being prepared: build an emergency kit BEFORE you need it.

And remember—there’s no single kit that works for every family. Your emergency supplies should be built around the needs of YOUR household, including children, older family members, pets and anyone with specific medical needs.

🎒 START WITH THE BASICS:

💧 Water and nonperishable food
🔦 Flashlights and extra batteries
📱 Phone chargers and power banks
➕ First-aid supplies
💊 Needed medications
📄 Copies of important information
🐾 Food, water and supplies for your pets

Think beyond the obvious, too. What would your household need if you were without power for an extended period or couldn’t easily leave home? Eyeglasses? Baby supplies? Special dietary foods? A battery-powered radio? Cash? Items to keep children occupied?

Don’t wait until the lights go out or severe weather is approaching to discover what you’re missing.

Take a few minutes this week to build your kit, check what you already have and replace anything that has expired.

Preparedness isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about being ready when the unexpected happens.

⭐ READY TODAY. SAFER TOMORROW.

— Sheriff Bill Overton
Franklin County Office of the Sheriff

09/07/2026

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND, FRANKLIN COUNTY!

As we mark the unofficial end of summer, Sheriff Bill Overton and the Franklin County Office of the Sheriff wish everyone a happy, relaxing and SAFE Labor Day Weekend!

Whether your plans include time on Smith Mountain Lake, a backyard cookout, a road trip, or simply enjoying one last long summer weekend with family and friends, please keep safety in mind.

🚗 Buckle up — every trip, every seat.
📵 Put the phone down and keep your eyes on the road.
🍺 If you drink, don’t drive. Plan for a sober ride home.
🚤 Heading to the lake? Boat sober and make sure everyone has the proper safety equipment.
🏍️ Watch twice for motorcycles.
👀 Expect heavier holiday traffic and give yourself extra time.

Enjoy the weekend, enjoy beautiful Franklin County, and most importantly — get home safely. ❤️🤍💙

Help us keep Franklin County safe. If you see suspicious activity or have information about a crime, please contact the Franklin County Office of the Sheriff. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress, always call 911.

🚨 Emergency: 911
☎️ Franklin County Sheriff’s Office: 540-483-3000
🌐 FranklinCountyVA.gov

🇺🇸 Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day Weekend!

09/07/2026

FRANKLIN COUNTY VIRGINIA COURTS ARE CLOSED TODAY IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY.

The Franklin County Office of the Sheriff would like to remind residents that the following courts are closed today for the federal Labor Day holiday:

⚖️ Circuit Court
⚖️ General District Court
⚖️ Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court

Regular court operations will resume following the holiday.

While the courts are closed, law enforcement and emergency services remain available. If you need assistance:

🚨 Emergency: 911
📞 Non-Emergency Dispatch: (540) 483-3000
📞 Franklin County Office of the Sheriff: (540) 483-3000

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day, and we extend our appreciation to the hardworking men and women throughout Franklin County who serve, build, protect, care for and strengthen our community every day.

— Sheriff Bill Overton
Franklin County Office of the Sheriff