By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
In front of family, friends, fellow law enforcement officers, city and Salem Courthouse staff, Jonathan Branson was sworn in as interim Salem City Sheriff. He is the fifth sheriff since Salem became an independent city in 1968.
Circuit Court Judge Christopher Clemens gave the oath to Branson on Aug. 21 and then hugged him as people packing the courtroom watched and applauded.
Branson will serve until Jan. 1, 2025, the end of Sheriff April Staton’s term. He was captain before taking over from his boss. She is resigning effective Aug. 31 after serving in the sheriff’s office since 2003. Staton became sheriff in 2018, and was the first woman to be sheriff.
“Building relationships is what I have tried to do,” said Branson. “Developing future leaders in the office is what I am here for. My goal is to work hard and be humble. I am confident this will be a seamless tradition,” he added.
Branson noted that his two of his three young children were under three years old when he started with the Salem Sheriff’s Office. He was a correctional officer with the Western Virginia Regional Jail, a deputy with the Boutetourt County Sheriff’s Office, then served 10 years in Salem.
Sheriff Staton told the audience “Leaving is bittersweet. I am excited to go of to new things and sad to leave this behind. We’ve built something great here. The Sheriff’s Office is family.”
She noted from the start that Branson was who she wanted to carry on. In addition to being chief deputy, he has been accreditation officer and was responsible for making sure the Salem Sheriff’s Office met accreditation criteria, and for filing the reports for state reaccreditation.
“What I love most about Johnny is he is a natural leader,” Staton said, “and is passionate about this office and serving the citizens of Salem. I am most proud that our whole office stands behind him.”
Ten of the current deputies were in the courtroom for the swearing in.
Branson’s wife, Ally, and sons Keilan, 11, Kaden, 10, and daughter Irelyn, 8, were in the courtroom for the ceremony.
Under state law, an interim sheriff must come from the sheriff’s office ranks.
Branson is running for re-election in the Nov. 5 general election, as is former Salem deputy and police officer Chris Shelor.
