Retiring WCSO Courthouse Sergeant Fondly Recalls a Career Path That Allowed Her to Achieve Lifelong Dreams

Royal Examiner was contacted by Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) personnel assigned to the Warren County Courthouse about a pending retirement among their ranks. Retiring on April 30, 2025, was Karen Negron after a career at the Sheriff’s Office that began in August of 2004. Her final position for her last 7-1/2 years was as Sergeant of Court Security, where she was responsible for staffing and security of all courtrooms, as well as all security functions and the management of courthouse security technology.

But her first love in law enforcement work, and what brought her to the Sheriff’s Office from a start here in law enforcement at the Front Royal Police Department in 1996, was as a School Resource Officer (SRO). We asked Negron about her work path here and she told us this:

“Never say never, I have learned that no matter age, circumstances, or past decisions, you have the power to change your direction and create a new path for yourself,” she told us. She came here in 1996 from her birthplace and hometown of New York City.

“I was hired by the WCSO as an SRO in August of 2004. This was a lifelong dream of mine. Then at the age of thirty-seven what once was a dream, was now reality.

Wait, are you all supposed to be on the same courtroom security detail all at once? Just kidding, the WC Courthouse security officers gather for a team shot during a Circuit Court recess. Below, School Resource Officer Negron in her office at WCHS during her 2004 to 2012 term there. Courtesy Photos Karen Negron and colleagues.

“I was assigned to Warren County High School from 2004 to 2012, then assigned to Ressie Jeffries from 2012 to 2017. In 2017 I was assigned to the Warren County Courthouse and promoted to Sergeant,” she told us. We were also alerted to the fact that the above tenure included a 2010 recognition as Warren County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year.

“My years with Warren County Public Schools were my most rewarding. SRO, I believe, is one of the most difficult and demanding jobs with the Sheriff’s Office. The SRO wears many hats. They juggle the demands of the Sheriff’s Office, school administrators, students, teachers, and parents. It is a tough and demanding job. There was a time when I was the only SRO for all Warren County schools.

“However, I would not have changed it for the world. Working at the courthouse I have come to realize that my time as an SRO did have a positive impact on the students. Many will come in and see me. They all get excited to see me and recall their stories about our encounter. Many now have children of their own, and many of those students grew up to be Warren County deputies, attorneys, teachers, and social workers.  I’ve been blessed to have watched them grow up along with my children.”

It’s all smiles at a past Sheriff’s Youth Camp as Officer Negron helps her group navigate the Shenandoah in her adopted community.

But it wasn’t only such one-on-one interactions that were a career bonus for Negron. She also singled out work with various local agencies: “I have enjoyed working with many agencies during my career, including Warren County Public Schools, Warren County Coalition, Front Royal Police Department, Virginia ABC, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, and neighboring local Law Enforcement agencies. These are just a few to mention, but there were many more. Warren County is truly fortunate to have all these dedicated men and women who serve Warren County,” Negron said with a nod all their ways.

And to her current co-workers, she added, “I surely will miss everyone.”

But back to the path that led her to those recent co-workers, and all those prior, she observed, “When I arrived in Warren County in 1996, I was determined to make a better life for my daughters and me. I want to thank the Department of Social Services for seeing my potential and encouraging me to apply for FRPD.” Responding to a question, Negron explained her move from FRPD to WCSO in 2004: “I left FRPD because I was recruited by SRO Sergeant Carr, who heard through another deputy, I wanted to be an SRO.”

She was at FRPD a total of five years, the first four as a dispatcher 1996-2000, the final year, 2003-2004, in the Patrol Division. She was hired to the FRPD Patrol Division in October 2003 and was soon enrolled in the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy from which she graduated in May 2004. The three-year gap 2000-2003 she spent in the Probation/Parole Department in Loudoun County.

“Close to 30 years later, I will say I did reach that potential I was seeking. And I am incredibly grateful and appreciate the opportunity to say, Thank you, Warren County.”

Negron, left, celebrates graduation from the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy in the spring of 2004 while a Patrol Division officer at FRPD. Fellow grads pictured include Xavier McCombs and Crystal Cline, the latter another eventual FRPD to WCSO mover. Though those moves came under somewhat different circumstances, as the elected Sheriff Cline might tell you.

Of the source of her desire for School Resource Officer work, Negron told us, “I always wanted to pursue a career in social work with youth. I wasn’t fortunate enough to earn a degree, but I was able to fulfill my dream working as a mentor because of my career with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Best decision I made,” she concluded.

It was apparent from our contact with her co-workers at the Warren County Courthouse, who alerted us to her retirement, that Sgt. Negron was well thought of in her final role in law enforcement, as she discovered she had been in her earlier and first love assignments as an SRO.

From left at the Warren County Courthouse during ‘retirement week’ are Koko Henry, pending April 30th retiree Karen Negron, Ray Jenkins, Mike Artone, Jim Williams, and Mickey Licklider. Courtesy Photo Kollette Henry

So, Royal Examiner joins those WCSO deputies, and all others who have come into contact with Negron over her years of service to this community, in congratulating her on that career, and on reaching the retirement point that will give her a little more one-on-one family time.

Well done, Sgt. Negron, and Thank YOU for your service to this community over those 20-1/2 years at the Sheriff’s Office, and 5 years at FRPD.