Falls Church Sheriff Retires After 28 Years In Role

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Falls Church Sheriff Stephen Bittle retired on Saturday, Aug. 15 after 28 years in the role and 54 years of service in the City of Falls Church.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Metin "Matt" Cay was sworn in as interim sheriff. The sheriff is elected every four years, and the position will be on the ballot for the November 2021 election.

Bittle first joined the Falls Church Police department in August 1966. He left the department in December 1992 and was appointed interim sheriff. He was elected to the position in 1993 and was held it ever since. He was recognized in a 2017 Virginia House resolution for his community-focused policing strategy, efforts to build respect between deputies and service to the city.

The sheriff's office is responsible for court security and prisoner transportation as well as serving civil warrants and legal notices. It also works with the Falls Church Police Department on law enforcement functions, including the issuance of traffic summonses, traffic control, special events, and training exercises.

Cay, the interim sheriff, has been working in law enforcement for 20 years and previously practiced law in Virginia. He joined the sheriff's office in February 2003, worked for the police department, and returned to the sheriff's office as chief deputy in October 2016.

"I am looking forward to continuing to serve the City of Falls Church and our community as the interim Sheriff," said Cay.