44 years at Hanover County Sheriff's Office…

Worked in... Patrol • Investigations • Administration • Judicial

Rickey joined the Hanover County Sheriff's Office in September 1981. Throughout his 44 years of service to Hanover County citizens, he's advanced through the ranks, beginning as a patrol deputy and retiring as a major. He earned and learned from each sequential promotion. Additionally, he served in every division throughout his career in nearly every unit of the Sheriff’s Office. 

In March 1987, he was assigned to the Investigative Division, where he investigated drug, prostitution and gambling offenses. After four years as an undercover vice/narcotics officer, he moved to General Investigations, where he managed and investigated criminal cases, processed crime scenes, and followed up on major crimes. Following this, he was assigned to the schools, serving as both a school resource officer and a DARE officer. 

Rickey Dandridge was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1994 and assigned to the Patrol Division supervising the patrol shifts. In 1996 he transferred back to Investigations, where he supervised both the Street Crimes Unit and Vice/Narcotics Unit. 

He was promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant in 1997 and reassigned to the Patrol Division.  

In October 2003, Major Dandridge was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, once again in Investigations.  

He returned to Patrol in March 2006, supervising and coordinating daily assignments for midnight shift.

Rickey Dandridge was promoted to Captain in September 2010, where he oversaw the Vice/Narcotics and Criminal Intelligence Units.  

In January 2012, he moved to the Administrative Division, where he oversaw Court Services, Criminal Intelligence, Personnel and Training, Records, Evidence, Budget and Finance, IT, Crime Prevention, and Planning and Research. 

In April 2015, he began serving as Captain of Special Operations, which oversees Youth Services, all special teams and special operations, and the Animal Control Unit.  

In September 2018, he returned to Administration. In February 2020, he was promoted to Major and remained in the Administration Division.  Rickey Dandridge has served in not only every division, but nearly every unit of the Sheriff’s Office at some time in his career.  

Since August 2024, Rickey Dandridge has been assigned to the Investigative Division until retirement April 30, 2026.

Rickey has served as an instructor of general, narcotics, firearms, and community policing subject matter. Additionally, he was instrumental in the research and implementation of the following:

- Records Management System, 

- Mobile CAD, and 

- Mobile Field Reporting systems currently being utilized by the Sheriff’s Office.