Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Stafford

Stafford Deputies Arrest Five in Juvenile Mob Assault

By Potomac Local News

Five people, including an 18-year-old and four juveniles, face charges after a mob assault on another juvenile in the England Run area of Stafford County.

Deputies responded on May 8, 2026, after camera footage showed four suspects attacking the victim on May 7 around 11 a.m. The assault stemmed from a prior incident. Detectives identified the group, learned firearms were involved, and recovered a gun during a traffic stop and search. The suspects admitted to the assault and robbing the victim of a firearm. A fifth suspect who filmed the incident was later identified and charged.

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Stafford

Stafford Mother Found Safe After Newborn Discovery

By Potomac Local News

Stafford County authorities have located the mother of a newborn infant discovered May 12 in a small park near Embrey Mill Road and Coriander Lane. Officials say both the mother and baby are safe and healthy.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office worked around the clock with detectives and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to resolve the case. After reviewing all evidence, authorities determined no charges would be filed. The agency emphasized that the well-being of the mother and infant remained the top priority throughout the investigation.

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Stafford

Breaking: Fiery Tractor-Trailer Crash Shuts Down I-95 Southbound in Stafford County

By Potomac Local News

A tractor-trailer crash with at least one other vehicle sparked a massive explosion and fire Thursday morning, fully closing Interstate 95 southbound near Centerport Parkway in Stafford County.

The crash occurred just past the Ramoth Church Road bridge in the southbound lanes, with the tractor-trailer exploding on the right shoulder of the highway. Thick smoke and flames were visible from the scene, according to exclusive video obtained by Potomac Local News.

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Stafford

Baby Found Safe at Embrey Mill Park in Stafford County; Sheriff’s Office Seeks Mother’s Well-Being

By Potomac Local News

A large police presence converged Tuesday afternoon near Embrey Mill Park following the discovery of an abandoned baby in the popular Stafford County recreation area. Authorities report the infant is safe and receiving care, while emphasizing their primary concern for the child’s mother.

According to a release from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office issued around 5 p.m. on May 12, deputies responded to the area of Coriander Lane and Embrey Mill Road after a baby was found in the park earlier that afternoon. The baby is now in the custody of the Sheriff’s Office and is being cared for, with Child Protective Services notified and assisting.

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Press Release

Virginia State Police Solve 52-Year-Old Cold Case Murder

By Potomac Local News

Virginia State Police closed a 52-year-old homicide case after determining that the husband of Shirley L. Washington, 33, of Washington, D.C., was responsible for her murder. She was found with eight stab wounds in Conway Robinson State Forest outside Gainesville on December 8, 1973. The suspect died in 2013, and Prince William County prosecutors say evidence supports his involvement, but the case cannot be prosecuted due to time passed and other factors.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Fairfax Field Office has closed a 52-year-old homicide investigation. Shirley L. Washington, 33, of Washington, D.C. was found murdered in Conway Robinson State Forest outside Gainesville, Va., on December 8, 1973. Investigative work from BCI Special Agents has now determined that Washington’s husband, Clarence E. Washington, of Washington, D.C., was involved in her death. Clarence Washington died in 2013 at age 68, and the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has stated that if not for his death, the case would have been prosecuted.

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Stafford

Stafford Sheriff K-9 Unit Receives Over $2,000

By Potomac Local News

The Greater Fredericksburg Kennel Club presented the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office with a $2,349 donation on April 7, 2026, to support its K-9 unit.

Sharon Allen, vice president of the kennel club, joined Captain Worcester, Lieutenant Fetterolf, Lieutenant Kreider, First Sergeant Demirci, Deputy Jett, Deputy Sterne, Deputy Eastman and K-9 Ruby for the presentation. The money will go toward new tools and technology to help keep the community safe.

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Stafford

Pay Competition Hinders Stafford School Safety Staffing

By Uriah Kiser
Decatur [Photo: Stafford County Government]

Stafford County Sheriff David Decatur told county supervisors that 10 of 17 elementary school protection officer positions are vacant, despite full staffing for middle and high school resource officers, as regional pay disparities complicate recruitment.

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Police Blotter

Man Found Slumped Over at Sheetz

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Sheetz, Inc.]

Deputies were called around 10:14 p.m. to the Sheetz at 10 Washington Square Plaza after a pickup truck reportedly backed into another vehicle. The truck was still running and in reverse when a deputy arrived, with the driver passed out at the wheel. The driver appeared disoriented when awakened and showed signs of intoxication. He was later charged with driving under the influence, third offense within ten years, and held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Earlier that evening, deputies arrested another driver found intoxicated and asleep behind the wheel on Maryanne Avenue, with keys in the ignition and alcohol visible inside the vehicle. A third DUI arrest followed the next night after a vehicle was found overturned in a ditch on Poplar Road, where deputies determined the male driver had been drinking. The female passenger was charged separately with obstruction of justice.

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Police Blotter

Armed robbery at Publix, 2 men charged

By Uriah Kiser

A robbery involving a firearm at a Publix grocery store ended with two men in custody after a brief foot chase behind nearby businesses.

Deputies were called to the Publix at 1640 Publix Way around 9 p.m. on January 27 after reports that two men pushed a cart full of groceries past all points of sale and threatened an employee with a gun when confronted. The suspects ran on foot toward the Five Guys restaurant, abandoning the groceries after the encounter.

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