Orange County honors Captain Brad Darnell with resolution marking 42 years in law enforcement

The Orange County Board of Supervisors presented a resolution of commendation to Captain Brad Darnell in recognition of his retirement effective March 1, 2025.

County staff read the resolution, which recounted Darnell’s career: he began with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer/dispatcher in February 1983, was promoted to patrol deputy in June 1985 and to corporal in September 1991; he later returned to the sheriff’s office on February 10, 2005 as a criminal investigator, became lieutenant of investigations in May 2012 and was promoted to captain on January 1, 2018. The resolution notes an interim period of service with the Central Virginia Regional Jail and records 42 years of combined law‑enforcement service.

Captain Darnell spoke briefly at the podium and said, “I love Orange County and I love the Orange Sheriff’s Office and I am gonna miss them,” and thanked the board for the recognition.

Sheriff Jason Smith, who said he has worked with Darnell for 20 years, praised Darnell’s dedication to victims and investigative skill: “He cares about the citizens of Orange County. He cares about our victims, especially our child victims of crime,” Smith said, adding that there is not “a single person in the sheriff’s office that would disagree” with that assessment. Former Sheriff Amos and other colleagues offered personal recollections and presented the plaque.

The resolution was included on the board’s consent agenda and approved by unanimous consent earlier in the meeting; board members then joined Darnell at the front of the room to present the plaque and take photographs.

Sources and attribution: The text of the commendation was read by county staff; comments by Captain Brad Darnell, Sheriff Jason Smith and others were given at the meeting and recorded in the official proceedings.