Karl S. Leonard

Karl Leonard serves as the Sheriff for Chesterfield County, overseeing a team of 300 personnel dedicated to delivering exceptional service to over 320,000 residents. With a diverse background, Karl previously held the position of Captain in the U.S. Coast Guard from September 1985 to October 2015, and served as Major at the Chesterfield Police Department from 1981 to 2012, where responsibilities included managing a substantial annual budget and ensuring effective resource allocation. Karl's educational credentials include a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University at Buffalo, and completion of the FBI National Academy. An alumnus of the National Sheriffs’ Institute, Karl is recognized for a commitment to unbiased service and strong fiscal management.