CHIEF JAKE HERLONG Keeps eyes on businesses, neighborhoods, traffic
BUT DRIVERS ARE GIVEN 15 MPH LEEWAY, SAYS CHIEF
Burkeville’s Chief of Police says that the department “had a very productive, proactive, and successful 2025.”
Jake Herlong provided the Courier-Record a year-end report and noted that the Town had “virtually no violent crimes in 2025.”
Herlong also said, “Property crimes have continued to decrease over the last five years, which is a plus for our wonderful community & businesses. We want our businesses and citizens not only to feel comfortable in our community, but also to stay around for many more years to come.
“A low crime rate and positive crime stats encourage more businesses and citizens to want to come to the Town of Burkeville. Citizens have played a vital role reducing crime by calling my personal cell phone to provide me with essential information and, most importantly, by looking out for one another.”
Herlong, who is approaching five years as Chief in the town of population 489, and who served previously as a Dual Purpose K-9 Handler on I-85 for Dinwiddie Sheriff ’s Office, said the department in 2025 conducted 920 security/property checks on Burkeville businesses and homes. Herlong’s commitment to public safety has made headlines in recent years for numerous traffic stops involving
The Courier-Record’s audience today is larger than ever. More than 4,600 print and digital subscribers and 24,642 Followers on Facebook. If you want to promote your business, organization, or fundraiser, email us: ads@courier-record.com speeders traveling faster than 90 and 100 mph in the treacherous 55 mph zone along Rt. 460/360.
Burkeville PD wrote a staggering 797 citations in 2025, up from 772 in 2024.
Most of the 2025 citiations (726, or 91%) were written on the 360/4690 bypass. Another 71 were written on other streets in town, and 11 warnings were given.
Herlong emphasizes that Burkeville is not a speed trap for revenue, but he’s seen first-hand the carnage and heartbreak on Virginia’s highways caused by excessive speed.
“Burkeville PD writes speeding citations only when speeds exceed 15 mph or more above the posted speed limit. There has been a rise in Road Rage/ Aggressive driving in 2025 in Town Limits — primarily on the 360/460 Bypass.”
The department in 2025 made 17 arrests for various charges including Assault & Battery, Drugs, a motorist driving 114 mph in a 55 mph zone, Drunk in Public, Theft of Tools, Stalking, Threats on Law Enforcement, Hit and Run, Failure to Appear, and Shoplifting at Dollar General.
Herlong said he greatly appreciates support of the community. “ Being in law enforcement nowadays isn’t easy and comes with a lot of scrutiny.”
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