Sheriff Ricky W. Chastain began his law enforcement with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office on January 11, 2024 at the age of twenty-one.  Throughout his career, he has served in many roles at the Sheriff’s Office.  In 2000 he was elected by the citizens of Laurens County to assume the role as their chief law enforcement officer, Laurens County Sheriff. He is now currently serving his third term in office. Sheriff Chastain brought with him to that position the experience and knowledge he had already acquired while serving the citizens as a deputy sheriff.  Former duties that ranged from jail responsibilities, to court functions, to patrol activities and training has served him well in his tenure as sheriff.

Sheriff Chastain still maintains certifications he received while moving through the ranks which include numerous instructor certifications from firearms to defensive driving. He is also an honor graduate from the SC Criminal Justice Academy in Basic Law and Basic Jail.  He completed the National Sheriff’s Institute in Longmont Colorado and was elected as class vice-president by his peers.

Sheriff Chastain has worked tirelessly to provide the citizens of Laurens County with the most effective law enforcement services available.  He continues to manage the Courts, Corrections and Enforcement sections of Laurens County with the citizen in mind and has made great strides in reducing cost while still moving the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office forward to meet the ever-increasing needs of her citizens.

Sheriff Chastain strives to make his agency pro-community oriented which can be seen through his own actions.  He serves on numerous boards and community organizations and is the first to get involved in helping the community.

As life-long resident of Laurens County , he is proud to call it home.  He and his wife, Kelley, have been married for 21 years and have three children; Shelby , Tori and Ricky Jr.