
THE COMMAND STAFF

Colonel Brandon Young
Colonel Brandon Young serves as the Chief Deputy of the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office. Colonel Young is the Chief Administrative Officer and oversees the operations of the Administrative Section, which includes Professional Standards, Business Office, Community Relations / Community Engagement, and Planning and Research. In the Sheriff's absence, Colonel Young assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer. Colonel Young joined the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office in March 2003 as a deputy sheriff assigned to the jail security division. In May 2012, he was promoted to Sergeant and served as an Assistant Watch Commander. In February 2014, he was transferred to the Professional Standards Unit serving as Accreditation Manager. In October 2017, Colonel Young was promoted to Lieutenant serving as Assistant Chief Correctional Officer. In February 2021, he was transferred to the position of Assistant Chief Court Security Officer. In February 2022, he was promoted to Captain serving as Chief Planning and Research Officer. In March 2024, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel and took on the position of Chief Deputy. Colonel Young served on the agency's SWAT team from 2007 - 2021 and has served as an instructor since 2010. He is a graduate of Averett University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice, as well as certifications in Firearms and General Instruction.

Lt. Colonel John Williams
Lieutenant Colonel Williams, Assistant Chief Deputy, serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the Sheriff's Office. He oversees the operation of Detention Center Security, Support Services, Court Security, and the Law Enforcement Divisions. Lieutenant Colonel Williams joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1998. During his 26+ year career with the Sheriff’s Office, he has held every rank from Deputy to Lieutenant Colonel, to include being appointed as a Master Deputy prior to receiving his first ranked promotion. He is a graduate of Virginia Western Community College and Radford University. Lieutenant Colonel Williams began his career as a Deputy within the Detention Center. He remained in this position for six years before being appointed as a Master Deputy and becoming responsible for training new deputies. After three years of working in this capacity, he received his first promotion to the rank of Sergeant, Accreditation Manager. In this role, he maintained the various agency certifications to include; the Department of Corrections (DOC), American Correctional Association (ACA), and National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). In addition, he worked toward achieving the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) certification, which he achieved for the agency in 2013 with the assistance of [former] Deputy Antonio Hash. Also, while in this role, he became a DCJS certified General Instructor and Firearms Instructor for the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy. In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned as a Watch Commander for one of the four detention center security shifts. He remained in this role for five years. Following his assignment as Watch Commander, he was transferred to the Classification section, where he worked as the Classification supervisor for nearly two years. After working in Classification, he was assigned as the Assistant Services Division Commander, where he later earned the rank of Captain following a restructuring of the Sheriff’s Office ranking system. He served in this role for nearly two years before being promoted to the rank of Major and becoming the Services Division Commander. After two years in this role, he was promoted to his current rank of Lieutenant Colonel and is now serving as the Assistant Chief Deputy.

Lt. James Murphy
Chief of Staff (COS), James Murphy began his career in law enforcement in 2005 with the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office. He began as a Deputy in the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center, earning the ranks of Master Deputy, Deputy II, and eventually Sergeant over the Bravo Platoon. As a certified personal trainer, COS Murphy used his skills to facilitate a gym being built in the facility as well as starting a Lawfit Team that competed regionally and nationally. As a Sergeant, COS Murphy was placed over background investigations and recruiting. He was later promoted to Administrative Lieutenant where he eventually became, the Chief of Staff. A few accomplishments include certifications from the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, REID Interviewing and Interrogations, Background Investigations, FBI Interviewing and Interrogations, IPMBA Police Cyclist school, PREA Investigation, and more. He also serves as a General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Use of Force Instructor. COS Murphy is from Rayville, Louisiana. He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. There, he met his wife Wendy, who he’s been married to for 20 years. COS Murphy and Wendy have three children; one daughter and two boys. He is active in the community, teaching a Women’s Only Boot camp & a Women’s Self-Defense class at the Kirk Family YMCA. COS Murphy has also been a part of the Cave Spring Football team coaching the running backs and the defensive backs for the program.

Major Angela Traynham
Major Traynham serves as the Chief Support Services Officer for the Sheriff's Office. Prior to joining the Sheriff's Office she served in the United States Air Force as an Aerospace Controls and Warning Systems Operator. She began her career at the Sheriff’s Office in 2003 and has held many roles to include: Records Supervisor, Accreditation Manager, Mental Health Coordinator, Classification Supervisor, Resident Programs and Re-Entry Coordinator, and the Assistant Chief Support Services Officer. In 2022 she oversaw the implementation of the (R.) I.G.N.I.T.E. programming (Residents Individually Growing Naturally and Intentionally Through Education) at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center. She is a graduate of Virginia Western Community College and a Department of Criminal Justice Services Instructor. She has earned instructor certifications in Mental Health First Aid, Disability Awareness, Mental Health Awareness, How Being Trauma Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses, and Crisis Intervention Training.

Major Brian McDaniel
Major McDaniel serves as the Chief Court Security Officer for the Sheriff’s Office. He oversees the operation of the Oliver Hill Justice Center, better known as the Roanoke City Courthouse. Major McDaniel joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2001. During his 24 years, he has served as a supervisor in multiple divisions within the Office. He is a graduate of Virginia Western Community College.

Major Nikki Jenkins
Major Jenkins, Chief Correctional Officer, oversees the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center (RCDC). She plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the general operations of the facility with the help of the Assistant Chief Correctional Officer, 4 Platoons, consisting of 4 Lieutenants and 8 Sergeants, their respective shift deputies, as well as 4 Sergeants assigned to Classification. Major Jenkins has been employed with the Sheriff’s Office since 2001 and has been fortunate to work in various capacities throughout the department as she has progressed in her career. Her extensive knowledge of the RCDC operations comes from working many of her 24 years within RCDC. Major Jenkins is a General Instructor in Firearms, Taser, and Crisis Intervention. She was selected as the first female SWAT team member for the department in 2006. She is a graduate of Radford University, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Captain Deatria Muse
Captain Muse is originally from Roanoke, VA. In 2022, she was promoted as the first female African-American Captain in the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office Court Security Division. With sixteen years of experience in law enforcement, she has completed extensive training, including the FBI leadership program and the required Supervisory, Command, and Executive courses necessary to earn the Trilogy Award in 2024. Additionally, she holds certification from the Virginia Sheriffs' Association and is a general law enforcement instructor through the Department of Criminal Justice. She exemplifies excellence in public speaking, teaching, and community service. Captain Muse has two Associate degrees in Business Administration and Management from Virginia Western Community College. She is a graduate of Radford University with a Bachelor's in Business Management and she earned a Bachelor's in Human Services from Old Dominion University. Furthermore, she is a graduate member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., representing the Beta Chi Omega Chapter in Roanoke, VA.

Captain Gayle Combs
Captain Combs is a 40-year law enforcement veteran. He received an Applied Associate in Criminal Justice from Southwest Virginia Community College. Captain Combs served in the United States Army for six years and began his professional career with the Department of Corrections. During his nine years there, he served in the capacity of Correctional Officer and Correctional Sergeant. Captain Combs joined the Roanoke City Police Department in 2005 and retired as a Patrol Sergeant in 2022. Captain Combs joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2022 and helped to develop the first Law Enforcement Division for the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office. In his personal life, he has been married for 10 years.

Captain Cristina Eberstein
Captain Eberstein serves as the Assistant Chief Correctional Officer for the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office. A Roanoke area native, she attended Fairview Elementary and Patrick Henry High School. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, she attended Liberty University; graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology followed by a Master’s Degree in Human Services: Counseling. Captain Eberstein began her career with the Sheriff’s Office in 2008 as a Deputy in the Detention Center and has remained with the Detention Center; serving in the roles of platoon Sergeant and platoon Lieutenant prior to being promoted to Captain. To build on her educational background, mental health, crisis intervention, and communication with special populations remain a focus in continuous training and learning. She is proud to have spent the last 17 years working alongside Detention Center Deputies, as they begin and progress in their career, while providing quality care to our residents.

Captain Thomas Boone
Captain Boone serves as the Assistant Chief Support Services Officer for the Sheriff’s Office. Captain Boone joined the agency in 2006, and has acquired extensive supervisory experience during his 19-year career including service as a Sergeant from 2013 to 2020, and as a Lieutenant from 2020 to 2024. Captain Boone is an alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute, where he pursued a degree in Civil Engineering.

Commander Brian Geiser
Brian Geiser is a dedicated professional with an extensive background in public safety, leadership, and theology. A lifelong resident of Roanoke City, he graduated from William Fleming High School and Virginia Western Community College. His pursuit of knowledge extended to theological studies, earning certificates from Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. Currently, Brian is enrolled in the distance learning Leadership program at Clemson University. Brian's career in public safety began in 1998 with the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office, where he made significant contributions over the years. He graduated with the 24th Entry Level Jailor/Court Services Class from Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy, later earning promotions through the ranks, including Master Deputy in 2002, Sergeant in 2004, Lieutenant in 2007, and ultimately Commander in 2024. Throughout his career, Brian has remained committed to enhancing his professional skills, achieving certifications such as First Aid/CPR Instructor, General Instructor through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, and Gang Investigator through the Virginia Gang Investigators Association. In 2022, he further expanded his expertise by becoming a certified Project Lifesaver Search Specialist. Alongside his law enforcement career, Brian has made invaluable contributions to his community. He served as an agency representative for the Roanoke Valley Reentry Council, the Blue Ridge Interagency Council on Homelessness (BRICH), and the Roanoke Valley TRIAD charter. He is also active in the Western Region Jail Association (WRJA), where he has served as Chairman of the H.T. Leary Scholarship Award Committee and as Chaplain since 2015. In addition to his career in public safety, Brian has a profound commitment to ministry and music. With over four decades of experience as an organist, pianist, and choirmaster, he has led church and community music programs in the Roanoke Valley. Brian has been involved in various musical associations, including the Lynchburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and the Fellow of the Guild of Gay Religious Musicians (GGRM) in the UK. He has served as a Senior Minister and Music Minister at Vinton’s First Christian Church since 2001. His passion for service extends to volunteering with the Roanoke Rescue Mission and in his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, hiking, biking, cooking, working on cars, and boating at Smith Mountain Lake with his partner, Jeff.
