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Sheriff Sam Page warns commissioners public attacks harm deputies as county reviews jail inspection
Summary
Sheriff Sam Page told the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners he and his staff have felt a lack of support after a recent officer‑involved shooting and that public criticism has undermined morale. Jail leaders then outlined inspection findings and fixes, including an ordered fire alarm panel, plumbing repairs, LED lighting quotes and clarification about missed electronic 'tag' swipes versus missed rounds.
Sheriff Sam Page, Rockingham County sheriff, told the board during the public‑comment period that recent public criticism of his office — including comments on social media — has undermined his deputies and detention staff following a recent, potentially armed domestic‑violence arrest that ended with the suspect shot and killed.
"When I read on social media that our county board chair made a statement that he is going to fix the mess that sheriff Sam Page has created in Rockingham County," Page said, "the first thought that comes to mind is saying from Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, you need to know your role." He urged the board to cooperate with the sheriff's office on public‑safety matters and called for more visible support for deputies.
After public comment, Sheriff Page introduced his jail administrator and Captain Brown and Lieutenant Stultz, who presented the recent jail inspection report and the facility's corrective actions. Staff said they notified county maintenance in July about a malfunctioning fire‑alarm panel; a replacement panel has been ordered and installation is pending. Two loose dorm faucets and one toilet in FPOD cited by the inspector were repaired before the inspector left the facility.
Jail staff explained inspection 'misses' reflected missed electronic 'tag' swipes rather than wholesale missed rounds. Captain Brown demonstrated that an officer can be making the physical rounds but miss a tag swipe (a 'button') and receive a late tag on the report; staff said that day EPOD ran at about 99% compliance, Dorm at 97% and FPOD at 91% (FPOD includes additional 15‑minute checks for inmates on suicide watch).
Staff also said they obtained three quotes to convert facility lighting to LED to reduce the need for frequent high‑ceiling maintenance and described painting progress as limited by population constraints: painting requires empty cells and significant dry time. Work on door replacements and a water‑management upgrade is budgeted but pending additional quotes and the formal bidding process.
Board members noted a prior legal settlement tied to rounds issues that the chair said cost roughly $750,000 plus expenses and asked for continued communication and improved documentation. Sheriff Page and jail staff said rounds percentages have improved and pledged to continue efforts to reach 100% compliance.
The board did not take separate formal action on the inspection presentation during the meeting; commissioners asked staff to continue coordinating maintenance, bidding and staffing plans and to keep the board informed of progress and timelines.
