Tag: Anthony Cline

Viars named Wythe Chief Deputy

December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

On December 1, a lifelong friend of mine stepped into a role that holds a deeply personal significance. Hody Viars was named Chief Deputy of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office—a position my father held for 14 years, and the very reason my family put down roots in Wytheville. Some of my earliest memories are of Hody and me running through the halls of the sheriff’s office as children. We both remember our kindergarten field trip there; we strutted around like we practically owned the place because we knew every officer by name. Back then, the Sheriff’s Office felt like family. Even today, though much larger than it was in the 1990s, that spirit somehow remains intact. Hody says he always knew he wanted to work for the Sheriff’s Office, despite his father—former Chief Deputy Sam Viars—encouraging him to consider another path. “I spent my first semester in college attempting some sort of sports medicine or physical therapy curriculum,” he told me during an interview at my home on December 10, just nine days into his new job. “I knew right away it wasn’t for me, and I immediately called my dad and told him I was changing my major to criminal justice.” After graduating from Radford University, Hody applied for one job and one job only: a patrol deputy position with the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office. He got it in 2014. Four years later, he made the difficult decision to join the Virginia State Police after completing the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Academy—an academy led by my uncle, Doug Cooley. “I needed to join the State Police for opportunities for advancement,” he recalled. “I was lucky enough to be assigned to Wythe, Smyth, and Bland counties so I didn’t have to move.” During his time with the State Police, Hody became known for his work with the Honor Guard, performing line-of-duty funeral duties for fallen officers. He was also trained to operate the distracted driving simulator, and in 2022 he was promoted to the Bureau of Criminal Investigations in the Wytheville Field Office. While there, he expanded into bomb and arson specialization. “I went to Emmitsburg, Maryland, for two weeks for the National Fire Academy’s arson school,” he said. “Then I spent three weeks in Roanoke at the 1033 training with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. The bomb side was more strenuous—schools in Alabama, Henrico, all while working murder investigations and other felonies.” Then, the call came from Sheriff Anthony Cline, asking him to serve as his Chief Deputy—a moment Hody describes as the culmination of everything he had worked toward. “My family has more than 90 years of combined service to the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “I knew this was something I definitely wanted to do.” Hody is also a devoted father. He and his wife, Miranda, live in Fort Chiswell with their daughter, Cecilia, who will turn two in March. During our interview, Hody shared something that struck me deeply. “Your dad was my dad’s hero,” he said. As Chief Deputy, my father hired Sam Viars and Hody’s two uncles—Jack and Doug Hudson. Those three men shaped Hody’s lifelong dream of a career in law enforcement. “At every one of my family’s get-togethers at my grandmother’s house, I would see at least one of those guys in uniform,” he told me. “I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Hody and my father also shared the same birthday, October 25. Dad passed away the day after his birthday this year. In the midst of mourning him fiercely, hearing that my childhood friend had been named Chief Deputy brought me a warmth I desperately needed. I felt—without hesitation—that Dad had a hand in this from above. Hody didn’t disagree. “I always felt close to Herb,” he said. “My dad said Herb made his career and always spoke very highly of him.” Sheriff Cline also expressed unwavering confidence in his new Chief Deputy. “I selected him because we have the same temperament and the same vision for the department,” Sheriff Cline wrote to me in a text message. “We have the same ideals, and we both want what’s best for Wythe County.” Hody believes technology will be a driving force in their leadership. Sheriff Cline recently secured grant funding for new crime scene scanning technology that provides a virtual 360-degree tour—similar to an online real estate walk-through. “This allows us to put a jury inside the crime scene as we found it,” Hody explained. In many ways, this mirrors my father’s approach. He had a remarkable talent for securing grant funding to bring cutting-edge tools to local law enforcement—without burdening taxpayers. Hody shares that philosophy wholeheartedly. “Protecting our children through our school resource officer program is essential,” he told me. “We want to give the county the best product we can offer and keep people safe at the least cost to them.” There is no doubt in my mind that Chief Deputy Hody Viars will go down as a law enforcement leader admired not only for his professionalism, but for the quality of his character. I know I certainly look up to him—and always have.

Strictly Observing, Zach's At It Again

Interim sheriff to seek office in November

July 30, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

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.

Strictly Observing

Wythe County sheriff retires

July 30, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

In 1987, my father, Herb Cooley, then Chief Deputy of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, along with Sheriff Wayne Pike, hired an 18-year-old Wytheville native named Charles Foster as a dispatcher. Now, after a remarkable 38-year career, Foster is retiring as Sheriff of Wythe County—a position he has held for the past four years. Almost immediately after graduating from George Wythe High School, Foster was earning $3.25 an hour working at a local gas station. His father, who had always dreamed of being a police officer himself, encouraged young Charles to speak with Sheriff Pike about a future in law enforcement. “They had me observe Pam Hall, who was a dispatcher at the time,” Foster recalled. “She had a receiver on each ear and a foot pedal to dispatch cars. I was scared to death. I knew I couldn’t do it.” But when Wayne Pike offered to double his salary, Foster agreed to give it a try. “I’ve been here ever since,” he said with a chuckle. “There’s not a job in this department I haven’t done before becoming Sheriff.” In his four years as Sheriff, Charles Foster earned a level of respect and admiration rarely seen in public service. In all my years living in Wytheville, I’ve never heard a single negative word spoken about him. That admiration was reflected at the polls—he won two unopposed elections, and in his first campaign, he even received more votes than gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin. “I couldn’t believe it,” Foster said. “I thought surely somebody had miscounted. But that vote count reflected the kindness and support I’ve been blessed to receive from the citizens of Wythe County—something I will never forget.” Though only 56, Foster says he feels it’s time to step aside and make room for the next generation. “I’m a simple man who likes to fish and spend time with my family,” he said. “You just don’t have time to do things like that when you’re the Sheriff of an entire county.” He praised his interim successor, Chief Deputy Anthony Cline, who will serve until the officially running for the job in November, for his leadership and tireless work securing grants and funding to benefit local children through programs like Shop with a Cop and Pack the Bus—providing Christmas gifts and school supplies for families in need. “I can’t tell you the hours Anthony has spent securing funding,” Foster said. “He’s saved countless lives and helped reduce taxpayer costs. We have everything that the most equipped sheriff’s office in the state has because of Anthony Cline’s dedication.” Foster also extended deep gratitude to the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. “They’ve become part of my extended family in helping me budget for the department,” he said. “I never asked for anything that wasn’t a true need, and they’ve always supported us to make sure we had what was necessary for an effective and professional department.” He credited the citizens of Wythe County for creating a peaceful and cooperative community. “When a community lives peaceably with one another, it gives you more time to focus on improving things—like securing grants and equipment,” Foster said. “Providing our officers with the resources they need has probably been the greatest achievement of my time as Sheriff.” Foster also reflected on the most difficult chapter of his career—the loss of his friend and fellow officer, Cliff Dicker, who was tragically gunned down in 1994 by a 15-year-old assailant. “I don’t recall a word being spoken in the entire department for months,” he said. “It was the saddest, most surreal time of our lives.” That tragedy became a turning point. Foster and other leaders made it a mission to ensure the department offered the best possible wages and support. “Money isn’t the answer to everything,” he acknowledged. “But when you hear other agencies struggling to find people willing to risk their lives for low pay, you realize how important it is to properly compensate those who serve.” His final request to the citizens of Wythe County is simple: continue to pray for the safety of our officers. “My last prayer every night is that none of my officers are hurt or killed on my watch,” he said. “We’re here to keep the peace, not cause trouble.” Foster credited the late Cliff Dicker as a mentor who helped shape him into the leader he became. “You can have all the degrees in the world,” he said, “but you need someone to take you under their wing and teach you how to do the job. Cliff was one of those people.” In a small community like Wythe County, being a sheriff isn’t just about enforcing the law—it’s about being a friend. And in that regard, Wythe County has truly been blessed. It’s hard to imagine a better friend than Charles Foster.

Strictly Observing