Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Montgomery County Sheriff Hank Partin announced his retirement last month and appointed a former Chief Deputy and leader of the warrants division, Robert Page, to fill the remaining eight months of this year before a special election is held this November.
Page is now running as Republican for the post.
“I know this department, these deputies, and this community. Montgomery County is a special place, that I love, and I don’t take this responsibility for granted,” he said.
For the past 13 years, he has served at the MCSO in the jail, civil process, patrol and criminal warrants division. He has also previously served as a full-time member of the U.S. Marshals Service Western District of Virginia Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF).
He had also previously served in the U.S. Marines including a deployment during Operation Desert Storm.
“With a career grounded in service and leadership, I am stepping forward to ensure the Sheriff’s Office remains transparent, effective, and deeply connected to the people it serves. I believe the role of sheriff is not just about enforcing laws, but about building relationships, supporting deputies, and ensuring every citizen feels safe and respected.
“My decision to run stems from a desire to serve with integrity and because this office and community matter greatly to me. I’ve built my career inside this sheriff’s office, my wife and I are raising our kids in Montgomery County, and our children sit in the same classrooms I work to keep safe. Keeping this county safe isn’t a political project for me, it’s personal,” he said.
What sets him apart from the other candidates, according to Page, is his combination of experience, accessibility, and commitment to transparency.
“I have worked in nearly every division of this department, from the jail to patrol to a federal fugitive task force, and I have built strong relationships with the courts, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and surrounding agencies along the way,” he said.
Page has listed six objectives for his term:
Focusing on crime prevention strategies alongside enforcement
Strengthening community policing initiatives to build trust and cooperation
Practice servant leadership centered on care and support for staff while prioritizing the mental health and wellness of our deputies
Enhancing training and professional development for deputies so they have the resources and preparation necessary to effectively safeguard our children and schools
Leveraging inter-agency partnerships to improve efficiency and response times
Expanding access to education, substance abuse treatment, job readiness, and rehabilitation programs that reduce recidivism
He hopes to reduce crime through proactive engagement, build a strong culture within the department, and ensure that all residents feel protected and heard.
“My aim is to keep Montgomery County one of the safest places in America. Our violent crime rate is 40% below the national average. This is possible because deputies show up, systems work, and partnerships hold. My job is to protect that foundation and build on it. I want deputies who feel supported enough to make this a career, not just a job,” he said in an email.
“I want families who don’t think twice about whether their kids are safe at school. I want families who don’t think twice about whether their kids are safe at school. I want victims, especially children, met by a department prepared for the worst moments of their lives.. If I do this job right, Montgomery County shouldn’t have to think much about its Sheriff’s Office. They should be able to trust that it’s working and serves as a model of professionalism and community partnership. Ultimately, my goal is to leave the office stronger, more unified, and better equipped for the future,” he concluded.
Page is seeking the Republican nomination against Tim Sheppherd as a primary will be held next month.
The winner of the 2026 special election must run again in 2027 for a full four-year term.
