A Proven Track Record

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 "As your elected Sheriff, I am responsible for leading, supporting, and overseeing all divisions of the Sheriff’s Office, including Administrative Staff, the Detention Center, Courthouse Security, Civil Division, Patrol, School Resource Officers, Forensics Division, Criminal Investigations

Division, and Narcotics/Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team. The Sheriff’s Office is made up of approximately 158 employees, including full-time sworn officers, full-time non-sworn staff, and part-time personnel.

I am also responsible for all calls for service and investigations in the non-municipal (unincorporated) areas of Rutherford County, which cover approximately 534 square miles. In addition, I oversee all civil services, sex offender registry and compliance, and concealed carry permits across the county, which spans 564 square miles and serves a population of roughly 65,000 citizens. My responsibilities further include courthouse security and the operation of the detention center for the entire county.

As a department, we also assist local agencies when needed by providing Sheriff’s Office resources. We routinely work jointly with State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies on

criminal investigations.

  • Implement a drug education program in middle and high schools consistent with the valuable DARE and GREAT programs in our elementary schools.
• Help implement and promote a nonprofit, community- and faith-based rehabilitation facility as a local option for drug abuse recovery.
• Increase the number of road patrol officers to help reduce crime and improve response times.
• Implement proactive methods to target drug dealers and repeat offenders.
• Increase community policing efforts to educate, inform, and ensure positive, cooperative relationships with our citizens.
• Create a resource to share information and increase transparency about the hard work the Sheriff’s Office is doing.
• Acquire a state-of-the-art electronic scanning device to enhance security at the Detention Center.

• Reduced Overall Crime Rate
  In 2022, the Total Crime Index for the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office was 593. During our first year in office (2023), that number was reduced to 404 — a 31.87% decrease in the total crime index.  In our second year (2024), the Crime Index was 508, which still reflects a 14.33% overall reduction from 2022 to 2024. These numbers are reported to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Reporting Unit for official statistics. The SBI Crime Reporting Unit statistics for 2025 will be released later in 2026. 
• Reduced Fentanyl-Related Deaths
  In 2022, there were 36 fentanyl-related deaths in Rutherford County. During our first year in office (2023), we reduced that number to 35 — a 2.77% decrease. In our second year in office (2024), we reduced that number again, from 35 to 18, a 48.57% decrease from 2023 to 2024. Our 2025 numbers are currently trending down from 2024. These figures are reported by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and reflect totals for the entire county, not just the Sheriff’s Office. 
• Worked with then State Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tim Moore (Now United States Representative), and State Senator Tim Moffitt to secure $10 million for Detention Center upgrades.
• Secured legislative funding in the amount of $421,200 through Representative Moore and Senator Moffitt for a Crime Scene Response Vehicle, ballistic helmets for deputies, negotiator equipment, and drones.
• Obtained grant funds to upgrade viper radios in patrol cars and handheld units.
• Obtained $20,000 in grant funds for two Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) equipped with zoom cameras, infrared cameras, and starlight cameras for locating endangered missing persons and assist with locating suspects for a safer apprehension.
• Our Digital Forensic Unit has received approximately $80,000 worth of equipment just through attending specialized training plus received an additional $30,000 for other needed equipment. All the equipment was funded by federal funds. We received another $25,000 to cover the cost of Cellebrite Premium for a 12-month period. The money utilized for Cellebrite Premium came from a grant through Operation Underground Railroad, which is an organization that combats human trafficking and child exploitation. 
• Thanks to Dr. Sarah Horne with Preferred Choice Healthcare, we've received a $38,000 grant from the RHI Legacy Foundation to enhance the split recreation yard and expand recreation programs at the detention center. Improvements are scheduled to begin in 2026, benefiting qualified inmates through programs that promote life skills, personal growth, and rehabilitation-helping individuals make positive changes that strengthen our entire community.
• Received a new Polaris off-road vehicle through a donation after Hurricane Helene
• Received two used patrol vehicles from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, at no cost, to replace two of our vehicles damaged during rescue efforts with Hurricane Helene
• Increased patrol on the Rails-to-Trails throughout Rutherford County. 
• Acquired therapy dog, “Rookie”, through Silvercreek Doodles (Therapy Dog was donated) (Training donated by Stand Tall)
• Acquired a narcotics detection K-9 for the Detention Center, which will also be used as needed for patrol, narcotics, and in our schools (Funded by anonymous donor and the National Police Dog Foundation) — the first K-9 trained in fentanyl detection in Rutherford County.
• Encouraged staff to apply for receipt of professional status through the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission such as an Advanced Certificate or Intermediate Certificate. 
• Installed 11 Flock Safety cameras throughout Rutherford County.
• Increased transparency by providing monthly public reports, detention staff reports, and regular updates on arrests via social media and the Sheriff’s Office app.
• Successfully instituted two Nuisance Abatement processes to rid neighborhoods of troublesome individuals and crime infested structures. These are the first successful cases in Rutherford County. We will continue to use our partnership with ALE and utilize this process.
• Continued review of departmental policies and procedures and updating as needed to ensure best practices are in place.
• Have North Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NCLEAP) Retired Army Colonel Steve Shugart, PhD Trauma Counselor as a non-paid, part-time staff member, who provides Critical Incident Stress Debriefings, plus other services to Sheriff’s Office members and other law enforcement and emergency responders. Also have four sworn Sheriff Office staff members trained and certified as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team Facilitators.
• Successfully managed the Sheriff’s Office in a progressive, effective manner, led multiple divisions of the Sheriff’s Office as a “boots-on-the-ground” Sheriff, and assisted local officials and other entities in and around Rutherford County, including coordinating aid during the unexpected aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 
• Between September 27th, 2024, and October 11th, 2024, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local agencies, located 1,107 missing/unaccounted individuals during Hurricane Helene.
• We’ve been fortunate to improve employee retention by fostering a positive work environment and introducing a night shift pay differential for both detention and patrol staff.
• Prior to being elected Sheriff, several Fire Department Chiefs requested access to the Sheriff’s Office radio channel. Since that time, not only have department heads been granted access, but additional fire personnel have also been included on their department-issued radios. This improvement enhances communication and promotes greater safety during emergency responses. We value our strong partnerships with fire departments and other emergency services across the county.
• Utilizing funds acquired through legislative support, we are currently working with a specialty vehicle manufacturer and are in the design phase of a mobile, multi-purpose crime scene and special response vehicle. This vehicle will greatly enhance our ability to process outdoor and rural crime scenes, as well as lengthy and complex investigations. It will provide a controlled environment, sheltered from the elements to package and process evidence, conduct interviews, and serve as an on-scene command post. The vehicle will be equipped with generators for electrical power, specialized equipment, and a controlled workspace to support operations during critical incidents.

 • Restored a dedicated School Resource Officer in every Rutherford County School. 

• Implemented the STAR (Sheriff’s Teaching Abuse Resistance) Program in August 2023 for 5th-grade students, focusing on drug prevention, decision-making, and bullying awareness. 

• Launched STAR Camp in May 2024, funded by a $50,000 Carolina Foothills Foundation grant, offering summer mentorship programs for students completing the STAR Program.

 • Increased community policing involvement in our schools.

• Shop with the Sheriff raised $15,000 in 2023 and $8,000 in 2024, providing holiday gifts for local children.
• Implemented a new Easter program with Lt. McComas, who dressed as the Easter Bunny and delivered gifts to children across the county.
• Organized the first Christmas Shop with a Sheriff event in 2024, distributing toys to more than 100 children affected by Hurricane Helene. This event was separate from our Shop with the Sheriff. 
• Expanded Storytime with the Sheriff, the Reading Impact Opportunity Team (RIOT), and the Back-to-School Drive programs started by Lt. McComas.
• Through the RIOT program and generous sponsors, multiple children have been supported in cheer, dance, Girl Scouts, and other community activities and events.
• Actively integrated therapy K-9 “Rookie” into schools, the community, trauma response, child victim court support, and emergency personnel outreach — at no cost to taxpayers.
• Participated in community events year-round — not just during election season.
• Held Community Q&A sessions at multiple locations throughout Rutherford County.
• Hosted and attended community crime prevention events and prescription pill drop initiatives.
• Currently launching the Volunteer Intervention and Prevention Response (VIPR) Program, allowing trained citizen volunteers to assist with certain tasks and free up sworn staff for other duties.
• Proudly support and assist with the Special Olympics of Rutherford County each year. 
• Partnered with Rutherford Regional Medical Center for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This partnership was an honor and meant a great deal to me and my family. I lost my wife, and my children lost their mother, to breast cancer in 2010, when they were just 4 and 6 years old. (The car wrap was paid for by Rutherford Regional Medical Center. The car wrap was at no cost to the tax payers.)