Rex Carter

My name is Rex Carter, and I am running for Sheriff in Washington County as an Independent candidate. With 27 years of experience in law enforcement, including serving with the Virginia State Police, Washington and Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and the SWVA Criminal Justice Training Academy, I am committed to providing professional and dedicated leadership that puts people first. I have a strong training background and understand the importance of caring for our deputies, investigators, dispatchers, and staff. I have also continued to educate myself by completing a Business Management Master's Class and earning two Leadership certificates from Harvard University. Currently, I work as a Security Operations Specialist and Human Resource Generalist, and I am actively involved in community service through organizations like the United Way and the Washington County Prevention Coalition. As Sheriff, I will prioritize enhancing services for senior citizens, encouraging community-led crime watch and prevention efforts, enhancing community policing, and fostering cooperation between law enforcement and residents. Together, we can make our communities safe and prosperous.

Human Resource Generalist/Security Operations Specialist

My goal is to provide our communities with professional law enforcement leadership that puts people first. We have seen services decline in our county, crime increase, drug use and addiction skyrocket. It is my desire to put people over politics; to bring back a level of law enforcement where our school children are safe and parents aren't worried, businesses can operate successfully, our communities have a voice and are heard about their needs. I have dedicated the last 27 years of my life serving within the law enforcement community of the Virginia State Police, Washington and Scott County Sheriff’s Office and the SWVA Criminal Justice Training Academy. I continue to maintain my certifications, to include being an active certified Department of Criminal Justice Services Instructor; serving as a central figure of the Defensive Tactics program statewide for 15 years, as well as Critical Incident Stress Management, Patrol and Advanced Tactics instructor and liaison for 17 years. My training background includes seminars and training through the North and South Carolina Highway Patrol Employee Assistance Network programs, and the Emotional Trauma in Law Enforcement symposium in Alexandria, Virginia. Being well versed on how to care for our deputies, investigators, dispatchers and staff is of the utmost importance. During the last 7 years, I have been in private security and business. I believe it is imperative a leader continues to learn, to strengthen their skill set, to become more well-rounded to meet the demands of a professional manager. In 2021, I successfully completed my Business Management Master’s Class course as well as earning two certificates in Leadership from Harvard University. Moving Forward Currently, I serve as the Security Operations Specialist and Human Resource Generalist with Universal Fibers as well as working in ministry through Woodland Baptist in Abingdon. My community support broadens through partnering with the United Way through Universal Fibers, the Washington County Virginia Drug Court’s Advisory Committee, and the Washington County Prevention Coalition. It is because of these great organizations meeting the needs of the community that I believe community service is an important aspect of who I am.

I don't like heights like climbing a tall ladder, but I love to fly in airplanes and helicopters. I flew MedFlight missions with the Virginia State Police as a FLIR operator to search for missing persons, escapees, or suspects. This gave a strong sense of purpose because of the support the VSP Aviation unit would provide to the ground units.