As the spokesman for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Kraig Troxell is often the voice of crime news in the county. For Troxell, the job is about walking the tight line between keeping the public informed and protecting certain details of a crime that, if released, could scuttle an investigation or endanger lives.
How did you become interested in being a police spokesman?
I have a media background. I worked on radio and television prior to coming to the Sheriff’s Office. When I was moved to post-production at WAGE 1200 AM where I had been covering local news, I found that I missed working with the community and the news aspect. When I saw the job opening for the sheriff’s spokesman, I thought it’d be a good way to get back to that. I had already covered public safety and courts in Loudoun, so it was a nice fit.
Was it easy to make the transition from media to public information?
It wasn’t as different as I thought it would be. The biggest thing was getting used to what information I could release, what I could say and what I couldn’t say. I didn’t want to do anything that could harm a victim or hurt the investigation.
Which side do you like working for more?
I really like working with the Sheriff’s Office. I like how I still get to work close to the community. I wasn’t really cut out for the news business. I had a hard time going up to victims and getting information from them. It wasn’t something that was in my belly.
What’s the hardest aspect of your job?
The job takes some getting used to. It’s 24/7 365 days, which I knew when I took it. It’s not something I mind, but you always have to be ready. I get calls from the media on weekends and even when I’m on vacation. I could just turn my phone off, but I recognize the importance of keeping the public informed. A well-informed public keeps the community safe.
