Ronnie is from Carroll County. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Wytheville Community College. He lives with his wife and seven children.

Ronnie is a part-time deputy sheriff at Fairview Elementary School. He used to be a sergeant, law enforcement certified instructor, tactical team member, and state trooper for the Virginia State Police. He also used to be deputy sheriff jailer at the old Carroll County jail and a dispatcher with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office.

Ronnie Dean Horton's campaign for sheriff is his first entry into politics.