Sheriff's Office

703-246-3227 TTY 711
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
Stacey A. Kincaid
Sheriff

Deputy Joseph Hugo Promoted to Private First Class

PFC Joseph HugoDeputy Joseph Hugo graduated from the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy in December 2021 and was promoted to Private First Class in December 2023. As with all new deputies, PFC Hugo started his Sheriff’s Office career working in the Adult Detention Center (ADC). “The biggest skill set I brought to the job was knowing how to talk to people. Words are the best tool you have.”

Two years is the usual tenure for a deputy’s promotion to PFC and the minimum time assigned to the Adult Detention Center. What is notable about Hugo was his transfer from the ADC to the Civil Enforcement Branch, which happened 3 ½ months prior to reaching the rank of PFC. Hugo credits his loved ones, friends and family for his accomplishments thus far.

Hugo says he loves working in Civil Enforcement. The court-issued documents he receives every day are his caseload, and like the other deputies, he must manage his own caseload. It may include levies, protective orders, evictions and much more. His large service area covers the Town of Herndon, Reston Town Center and Great Falls.

“I feel like I can make a real difference during my encounters with the public,” Hugo says. “When I have to evict a person, it is the worst day of their life. We are right there in middle, between the landlord and the tenant. Our job is to make sure everything is done safely and humanely.”

He came to Fairfax County after high school to study Criminology at George Mason University. Prior to coming to the Sheriff’s Office, Hugo was an engineering inspector, checking bridges and building foundations. He was promoted to lead inspector of a project in North Carolina, “earning an incredible amount of money, but I didn’t feel a sense of purpose.” He has found purpose with the Sheriff’s Office.

Hugo is a member of the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT), for which he applied, tried out, was selected for SERT school and completed the weeklong training during his first year with the agency. He has now finished his one-year probationary period with the team. This was another remarkable accomplishment about which he commented (with a smile), “My education helped me with writing the application.” He has found that SERT is motivational and calls it “a strong, cohesive team.”

PFC Hugo has words of wisdom for his current and future colleagues: “Not every day that you go to work can you be perfect. However, you have to give 100% of what you’ve got to give. In any job, there are people who are miserable, people who will try to drag you down. Put yourself in a position to keep a positive mindset. Maintain a strong work ethic and you will earn opportunities.” 

His favorite part of the job are the people with whom he works. “We all grew up with different backgrounds, education and religion. But every single one of us is ready to come together as a team. As I’ve said before, we do our jobs safely, effectively and humanely.”

Are you committed to serving the community? Then be the change you want to see and join our team as a Deputy Sheriff. $15,000 signing bonus available!

Learn more about this outstanding career opportunity and apply now.

Fairfax Virtual Assistant