Robert "Bob" McCabe has served the people of Norfolk as Sheriff since January 1994, after winning election in November of 1993. A tireless leader in the Hampton Roads Public Safety Community, Sheriff McCabe has been dedicated to the successful management of our corrections program, the expansion of crime prevention and the general welfare and safety of everyone who lives in the city.

Bob McCabe is a lifelong resident of Norfolk and a product of both our public and private schools. He holds a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Administration of Justice from Troy University; and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from St. Leo University.

A Navy veteran, Bob was stationed in his hometown of Norfolk as a Personnelman, assigned to the USS Saipan. After serving his country in the United States Navy, Bob McCabe left the military and began his life's passion - public safety.

In 1980, he became a corrections officer for the Virginia Department of Corrections until he was able to join the Norfolk Police Academy in March of 1981. His 12-year career with the Norfolk Police Department included serving with the Second Patrol Division, the Traffic Division, the K-9/Emergency Response Team and the Detective Division. In 1993, after deciding Norfolk's jail needed new leadership, Bob left the Norfolk Police Department, ran for Sheriff and beat the 12-year-incumbent.

Sheriff McCabe has aggressively worked to makethe Norfolk City Jail a safe and secure facility that has consistently earned 100% compliance from the Department of Corrections' surprise inspections. This overwhelming task is especially commendable when you consider the severe overcrowding. As the largest jail in the Commonwealth, the Norfolk City Jail is rated for 833 inmates, yet the population hovers over 1800 on a regular basis. Sheriff McCabe is proud of all of his employees for their dedication, professionalism and excellence.

McCabe also appointed a Citizens Advisory Committee. These members represented a cross section of the community whose only interest was to see that the jail does not fall back into the horrible conditions that were found when Sheriff McCabe took over.

He oversaw the completion of a new jail addition and worked with our city and state leaders to expand the department's workforce and their compensation - a true champion for his employees.

Through technology and innovative thinking, Sheriff McCabe is constantly working on improving services and expanding programs to better the lives of the people of Norfolk. Among his numerous accolades, Sheriff McCabe is the immediate past President of the Virginia Sheriff's Association, the primary voice for Virginia sheriffs in the General Assembly with more than 6500 sheriffs and deputy sheriffs.

In 2005, he earned the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice. In 2004, he was named Executive of the Year from the Tidewater Chapter, Int'l Assoc. of Administrative Professionals. McCabe is among Strathmore's Who's Who of Business Leaders and has served as Grand Marshall of Norfolk's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Bob lives in Norfolk with his wife Janet. He has two sons, Brian and Jeremy and one step son, Gio.