Hail to the New “Chief Shaun”

Hail to the New “Chief Shaun”

By Carina Elgin

It’s been a very busy few months for Shaun Jones, who was officially sworn in as Middleburg’s new chief of police at a moving ceremony on May 3 at the town’s packed American Legion Hall attended by many law enforcement officials from around the region.

With 23 years in law enforcement, “Chief Shaun” came to Middleburg in 2020 to serve as lieutenant under popular former Chief A.J. Panebianco, who recently retired after 11 years leading the force.

Shaun Jones, Middleburg’s new chief of police

While he was a clear community favorite for the job, Shaun had to endure a nationwide recruitment process with intense interview panels for the position, competing with three current police chiefs from other jurisdictions.

Once chosen, there were bittersweet retirement parties, ceremonies, meetings, a pending office move, paperwork, reports, various training sessions, more meetings and more paperwork, and, of course, the everyday work of keeping Middleburg’s citizens and visitors safe and happy. And, proudly, in the midst of it all came his son’s high school graduation.

“Chief Shaun” still makes his rounds of town, starting with an almost daily stop at the Common Grounds coffee shop. Its owner, Christian Ellis, said, “We still miss A.J., but it’s a pleasure to have Shaun stop in every day for a cup of tea and to chat with the customers.”

On a recent visit, as Shaun bantered with the staff and patrons, long-time employee Justin Costello noted, “We’re very happy he got the job. There are so many good qualities about him that I don’t know where to start. He’s just a real good guy.”

The chief oversees five full-time and three part-time officers and administrative assistant Colleen Bryan. The department is preparing to move into a wing of the new town building being constructed behind the current small brick structure sometime this summer. In addition to offices, there will be a training room, an interview room and a new computerized evidence system.

Chief Shaun said he and his department “are always ready.” In addition to occasional DUI arrests, people locked out of cars, and other “small stuff,” the town police force is always busy training and updating certifications, often collaborating with the Loudoun Sheriff’s office.

The new chief plans to add community outreach and education programs. For example, he wants to hold a “frauds and scams” presentation for the public, because people everywhere, especially the elderly, are falling prey to such cons.

Chief Shaun said he was grateful to be chosen for the job, adding that, “Middleburg is unique. The people are very caring. The residents, the businesses, the visitors, all make it a special place.” He and his wife are slowly looking at options to move closer, to shorten his commute from Spotsylvania.

And he also knows that one of the prerequisites for the job is that, “You have to love animals to be a part of Middleburg, or must learn to love them,” he said with a smile.

He’s always liked dogs and knows most of the village tail-waggers he meets on his walks through town.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve also gotten to know ponies, horses, pigs and goats, and even a bull named Fred. Two donkeys recognize my car and come up to get Lifesaver candies from me. And driving home the other evening, a big black thing crossed the road in front of me, stood up in front of my car so I couldn’t move, and made eye contact.”

The bear was not ticketed for jaywalking. This time.