Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
After two elections as sheriff of Nelson county and over 3 decades in the law enforcement / corrections arena, Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks will hang up his badge for good at the end his current term that finishes on December 31, 2015. “After 31 years, it’s been long enough and I want to spend more time with family,” Sheriff Brooks told us Wednesday. Brooks has been steadfastly alongside his wife Sherri in her battle against cancer over the past several years, in addition to caring for other family members. Sheriff Brooks said it’s time to spend quality time with all of them. “It can be apprehensive about the unknown, but after the pros and cons, I thought it was time to retire.”
David Brooks was first elected Sheriff of Nelson County in back in November of 2007 and took office the following January. He ventured into law enforcement first by working for the Department of Corrections in 1985 and then became a dispatcher / jailer for then Sheriff Bill Harris. In 1998 he became a road deputy under Sheriff Ronald Wood and held that position until his successful bid for Sheriff in 2007 when Sheriff Gary Brantley decided to retire leaving the office open. In 2011 Brooks was narrowly re elected after a heated recount against Mac Bridgwater who unsuccessfully tried for the seat twice in past elections.
Brooks has few regrets and says mostly he will miss his staff and the people he comes in contact with daily. “My toughest times in office were the murder cases of Opal Page and then most recently Alexis Murphy. But the flip side of that is being able to have apprehended the people responsible. But we won’t, and if it takes that long, I’m sure my successor won’t give up on locating Alexis.”
When we asked what Sheriff Brooks might do in addition to spending more time with his family after he leaves office in December, he did say he might look at other options down the road. “I may explore other avenues later on, but for now it will be about spending time with my family.”
This year’s sheriff’s election will be held on November 3rd. Non party (independents) have until June 9th at 7PM to file their petition to run. Specific party candidates have until June 15th at 5PM to file, according to Jacqueline Britt, The Nelson County Election Registrar.
