Col. Shonda Whitfield was promoted to Colonel and appointed Chief Deputy on August 31, 2021.
As second in command to Sheriff Gabriel Morgan, she assumes leadership in his absence.
She has been with the Newport News Sheriff’s Office since February, 1996.
Col. Whitfield most recently served as Administration Bureau Chief with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Acting), effective May 17, 2021.
Before that, she was Major, Services Bureau, overseeing personnel in Judicial Services/Court Security, Civil Enforcement, Transportation, and Community Relations.
During her 25-year career, she has served in many departments to include the jail, security, classifications and court security.
Col. Whitfield is a Peninsula native. She graduated from Warwick High School, attended Thomas Nelson Community College and St. Leo University, and has completed the Christopher Newport University Leadership Institute. Additionally, she has completed the National Institute of Corrections Development for the Future Leadership series, the NIC Blended Correctional Leadership series and graduated from the National Criminal Justice Command College at the University of Virginia in September 2014.
She is married and has two daughters.
Colonel Shonda Whitfield - Chief Deputy