Position/philosophy statement
I believe strongly that a successful Sheriff's Office must lead with professionalism, respect and accountability. We must continue to earn our citizens trust every day through transparency, fairness and a commitment to treating people with dignity.
Current Occupation
Sheriff, Carteret County Sheriff's Office
Age (optional)
61
Campaign Phone
252-241-0286
I have worked for the Sheriff's Office for the last 11 years, served as the Chief Deputy for over 2.5 years and now Sheriff. Prior, I worked and retired from the Highway Patrol at the rank of Captain and Troop Commander. I was responsible for 20 counties, 140 uniformed and civilian personnel, a radio communication center, radio repair and installation shop and vehicle garage. I began supervising my co-workers in 1999. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from ECU and successfully completed the semester long Administrative Officers Management Program from NCSU. I successfully completed the Chief Deputies Leadership Institute sponsored by the NC Sheriff's Association. I have managed the Office budget for the last 3 years.
Salaries are a challenge for all law enforcement agencies. They need to be competitive to hire and retain the most professionally qualified staff. We have been successful working with the County Commissioners and the County Manager to address this challenge. Also, our jail is 30 years old and is limited as to the services and housing it can provide for special needs inmates. The capacity for our jail is not meeting the needs of our growing community. It is significantly over capacity at any given time. I am working with County Administration to address needed office and evidence storage space.
Mental Health care has become a major issue for NC. The NC House of Representatives has created a sub-committee to explore solutions to this problem. Our Office transports Involuntary Commitment Patients all across our state on a daily basis. We connect people in mental health crisis when they enter our jail with the services that can diagnose and treat their needs. The Sheriff's Office currently has a contract with Correctional Behavioral Health to provide mental health care for individuals while incarcerated. Partnerships with groups like Trillium Health Resources will be a starting point when they are released. We have a new program called 'Special Needs Occupant' which provides information to First Responders prior to arrival on scene.
Every division within the Office is currently performing at a very high level to meet the needs of our citizens. With that being said, more funding would allow for additional deputies to improve calls for service response times in the Patrol division, more narcotics detectives to fight against illegal drug traffickers and better pay for our detention officers for hiring and retention. Currently we are on the cutting edge with technology but the costs to remain there are always increasing.
The Detention Division already has informational handouts for services such as help with addiction, medical services and support groups at the time of their release. I have improved this program to have round table discussions with the inmates prior to their release in order for them to have an opportunity to understand what services are available and ask questions. The person released must take personal responsibility to follow through with the treatment recommendations. We also continue to improve the program for low level offenders fighting addiction and we have introduced more than 300 people to treatment opportunities prior to release.
Carteret County has been our home for 22 years. My wife, Ann, is a retired public school teacher and we have been married for 36 years. We raised our 3 children here. We were warmly welcomed by the Beaufort community and I began coaching sports that involved our children, from Upwards basketball to middle school basketball and high school golf. We also supported our daughters' soccer teams, from the county recreation league to middle and high school. I continued to meet people willing to give their time and wisdom to make our community a better place. Since deciding to seek the Office of Sheriff, I have been humbled by the support of the community. I am dedicated to ensuring our county remains one of the safest in the state and a welcoming place for every resident and visitor. Together, working along side our public safety partners, we are continuing to build a county where families feel safe, businesses can thrive and every resident from Down East to Emerald Isle knows they matter!
Position/philosophy statement
North Carolina
Current Occupation
Law Enforcement Officer with Morehead City Police Department
Age (optional)
54
Campaign Phone
(252)665-5064
Campaign Youtube URL
With over 25 years in law enforcement, I bring experience in patrol, K-9, criminal investigations, community policing, and as a School Resource Officer. I hold NC Justice Academy certifications in Criminal Investigations, SRO, and leadership. I completed a 400-hour leadership program, the three-week Leadership Institute, and the year-long Management Development Program, covering budgeting, personnel, management, and critical-incident response. I am also a trained crisis negotiator. I understand law enforcement from the ground up and have the experience, training, passion, and leadership to move the Sheriff’s Office forward while serving and protecting our citizens.
One of the most challenging issues currently facing the Sheriff’s Office is jail overcrowding. The detention center has raised concerns in state inspections, and the county is considering the significant undertaking of building a new jail. Addressing overcrowding requires more than a new building—it requires proper staffing, strong leadership, sound policies, and responsible planning. Detention officer recruitment and retention must also remain a priority. As Sheriff, I would work with county leaders and staff to address the immediate needs while developing a responsible long-term solution.
I would establish fully functional substations in both eastern and western Carteret County, giving deputies a place to complete reports and other duties without repeatedly traveling back to the main office. This would increase deputy visibility in our communities and help improve response times. I also want deputies to be more engaged in our communities, including increased visibility around churches on Sundays. Finally, I would dedicate two hours each week to training, including defensive tactics and other practical skills, ensuring our deputies remain prepared, confident, and professional.
Additional funding could improve several critical areas of the Sheriff’s Office. Jail overcrowding and the detention center's long-term needs will require significant investment. Additional funding could also help recruit and retain qualified deputies and detention officers, increase staffing where needed, and provide more advanced and specialized training. My goal would be to ensure additional funding is used responsibly putting resources where they have the greatest impact on employee safety, professional development, and the quality of service we provide to our citizens.
I believe rehabilitation and reentry should be based on the individual and the circumstances that brought them into the detention center. We should strengthen educational, treatment, and workforce opportunities while incarcerated and connect individuals with resources before they are released. I would partner with Carteret Community College, the Carteret/Onslow Reentry Council, NCWorks, treatment providers, and local employers to help with education, job training, employment, recovery, and other needs. The goal is accountability while giving people who want to change the tools to successfully return to the community.
I’ve called Carteret County home my entire life. I grew up here, attended school here, raised my family here, and spent my law enforcement career serving this community. I’ve watched our county grow and change, and I understand what makes Carteret County special because I’m part of it too.
I enjoy interacting with people, and I believe the Sheriff’s Office should be part of the community, not separate from it. As Sheriff, I want deputies visible, involved, and building relationships with the citizens we serve.
I also plan to establish a Citizens Advisory Board so people across Carteret County have a voice, can share concerns and ideas, and help us better understand their communities' needs.
I’ll listen to our deputies as well. Good leadership means listening to both the citizens we serve and the men and women doing the job. Carteret County is my home, and I want a Sheriff’s Office that always remembers who it serves.
