Lt. Col. Jabar Shabazz was recognized for his commitment to public service Dec. 9, 2025, during the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting.

For more than three decades, Shabazz was a steady, guiding presence in the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO). He was a leader whose career reflects not only professional excellence, but a lifelong devotion to service, mentorship, and humanity.

Shabazz’s career in law enforcement started with the Richmond Sheriff’s Office in 1989. After serving there for five years, he joined the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office. During his 31-year tenure with FCSO, his impact was immediate and enduring. A natural mentor and leader, Shabazz dedicated six years as a Field Training Instructor training more than 20 deputies. His training included more than teaching policy and procedure; he was a role model for professionalism, empathy, and compassion.

Throughout his career, Shabazz served in every division of the agency, earning each promotion through dedication and perseverance. In 2022, when he was considering retirement, Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid asked him to serve as her chief deputy. He answered the call. With that appointment, he made history, becoming the first African American to hold the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office.

However, for Shabazz giving back goes beyond serving in uniform. In 2004, he founded Special Care for Special People, an assisted living community in Henrico County, Va., dedicated to supporting men with mental health needs.

His legacy cannot be captured in titles or years of service alone. It lives in the deputies he trained, the people he cares for, and the colleagues who looked to him for guidance. It lives in the countless quiet acts of leadership that define a career built not for recognition, but for impact.

Shabazz retired in October 2025 with the knowledge that he leaves behind more than bullets on a resume. He leaves a legacy of integrity, compassion, and service that will continue to shape the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office for years to come.

Congratulations, Lt. Col. Jabar Shabazz, ret. Thank you for your service.