On August 1st, Anthony Cline will officially assume the role of Interim Sheriff of Wythe County after 24 years of service with the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office.
As someone who grew up in that department—my father, Herb Cooley, served as Chief Deputy for 14 years—I’ve seen firsthand the bond that forms within the walls of that agency. As a child, I was spoiled rotten by those deputies, many of whom became a second family to me. According to Cline, that familial bond still exists today.
“Sheriff Foster instilled the family atmosphere in the Sheriff’s Office,” Cline told me. “That’s something I fully intend to carry on in my own administration.”
Cline has served as Chief Deputy for the past four years, but his roots in the department go much deeper. Hired in 2001 by former Sheriff Kermit Osborne as a court security officer in the Civil Processing Division, Cline soon advanced to night shift patrolman. After seven years on patrol, he was promoted to criminal investigator.
“That’s when my career really took off,” he recalled. “That’s when I found what I truly wanted to do—solve crimes.”
Climbing the ranks to lieutenant, Cline has since worked every major crime scene in Wythe County since 2008, including cases involving homicide, rape, and armed robbery. His dedication began early—he knew from the age of five that he wanted to be a police officer, and he started his career right after graduating from Wytheville Community College with an associate degree in police science.
Interestingly, Cline never set out to run an agency. His passion was always the street—the crime scenes, the investigations, the daily grind of protecting the public.
“Being in an administrative position is so different from what I was used to,” he admitted. “It’s a surreal feeling to realize that this time next month, I’ll be serving as Sheriff of Wythe County.”
But like my father before him, Cline has excelled in administrative leadership. Over the past decade, he has secured more than $1.5 million in grant funding for the Sheriff’s Office—money that has both saved lives and spared taxpayers. From acquiring necessary equipment to funding officer overtime, his initiative has made a real impact.
“I don’t like paying taxes any more than the next guy,” he said. “The last thing I want is to see taxes raised and our citizens struggling. If I can find ways to bring in money without burdening the public, I’m going to do everything I can to make that happen.”
One of the most inspiring parts of Cline’s legacy is his dedication to children. His Shop with a Cop program, which started with the modest goal of helping ten underprivileged children, now delivers Christmas gifts to over 100 kids across the county each year. Likewise, his Pack the Bus program ensures that Wythe County students receive free school supplies through a partnership with Walmart.
As a father of three school-age daughters, Cline has seen tragedy up close—he’s worked traffic fatalities involving children who were not properly restrained in their seats. One of those children was only two years old. The other, just eight.
Those tragedies prompted him to create the Sweet Treats for Safety initiative, which rewarded children like my own daughter with a free ice cream from McDonald’s simply for being buckled in properly. That initiative sparked a friendship between Cline and my daughter that continues to this day—he even served as her recreation league basketball coach in third grade.
While the memory brings a smile, its origin was somber. Cline created it so no other Wythe County family would have to face that kind of loss.
Another initiative he championed—the Baby in the Box Safe Haven program—offers a lifeline for mothers unable to care for a newborn. By placing the baby safely in a secured, alarm-equipped box located at the hospital, the child receives immediate care. This program was born after Cline worked a horrifying case involving a newborn left to die in a cave. In collaboration with Wythe County Commonwealth Attorney Mike Jones, Cline brought this program to Wythe County to ensure such a tragedy would never be repeated.
And while Cline’s passion for children is well documented, he’s equally committed to protecting Wythe County’s senior citizens.
“None of us would be here today if not for our senior citizens,” he said. “It’s the least we can do to ensure they feel safe and protected in our community.”
Like his predecessor, Sheriff Charles Foster, Cline credits Wythe County’s citizens for maintaining peace and neighborliness. His goal is to preserve that sense of safety and stability that defines our area.
“I want every citizen to know they can contact this office at any time,” he said. “And if they have a problem or concern, they can speak to me directly. Any citizen should be able to talk to their sheriff, and I intend to keep that tradition alive. It is an honor to serve in Wythe County.”
Anthony Cline has worn nearly every badge this department offers. He’s served the community on the street, in the courtroom, behind the desk—and soon, as Sheriff. I can say with confidence that he is the right person to lead us forward, continuing a legacy of compassion, integrity, and service.
On November’s ballot, Wythe County would be wise to make Interim Sheriff Anthony Cline our permanent Sheriff.
