Sheriff Morgan's Biography
Sheriff Gabriel Morgan Sr., is currently serving his second four year term as the Sheriff of Newport News, Virginia. His first term of office began on January 1, 2006.
Sheriff Morgan is responsible for a budget, which exceeds 15 million dollars and a staff that exceeds 220 that provides a myriad of functions; including the custody, and care of more than 500 prisoners daily, the protection of our Courts and Judges, the service of court documents, and the enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth. Sheriff Morgan is the Executive Officer of the Courts.
Since taking office, Sheriff Morgan immediately instituted significant policy changes that support his guiding principles: Justice for all, Service to others, and an Abiding love for his Community. He encourages the public to read his annual reports posted on the web, or available for review in the city libraries.
Sheriff Morgan serves on a number of boards and commissions throughout the Hampton Roads Area. In 2007, The Honorable Leroy R. Hassell, Sr., Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court appointed Sheriff Morgan to serve on the Commission for Mental Law Reform. As the sub-committee chair for Emergency and Temporary Detention Orders, Sheriff Morgan’s leadership led to major changes in the law. Recognizing Sheriff Morgan’s commitment to service, Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently appointed Sheriff Morgan to the Inter-agency Civil Admission Advisory Council.
He is a graduate of the University of the State of New York at Albany, the Army’s Command and General Staff College, and the Ninetieth Session of the National Sheriff's Institute.
Prior to being elected Sheriff, he served as Special Agent-in-Charge for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Investigative Services. His office was responsible for conducting criminal investigations including identity and vehicle-related frauds, motor vehicle dealer-related crimes, and the evasion of transportation related-taxes.
Sheriff Morgan served his country with over twenty-one years in the U.S. Army. He entered the Army as a private and remained enlisted through the rank of Staff Sergeant. He subsequently earned a commission through Officer Candidate School. Sheriff Morgan commanded the Area Confinement Facility at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.
While in command of the confinement facility, he was credited for instituting vocational programs that employed the inmate population while saving the facility thousands of dollars. He was named the “Best Counter Terrorism Senior Program Manager (1997)” of all five services, by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Low-Intensity Conflict and Terrorism.
He has served in many theaters including the Middle East, Africa, Bosnia, Croatia, Haiti, Korea and Europe. He culminated his career as the Information Systems Security Officer for the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command at Ft. Monroe, Virginia.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with four clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal with seven clusters. He was also awarded the following Campaign Medals: Humanitarian Service with oak leaf, Southwest Asia, NATO - Yugoslavia Service, Liberation of Kuwait – issued by Kuwait, and Liberation of Kuwait – issued by Saudi Arabia.
Sheriff Morgan is committed to maintaining a great quality of life for all of the citizens of Newport News, and he works tirelessly on many social and community issues. He is an active member of the World Outreach Worship Center.