My Goals as Sheriff
I am dedicated to making Catawba County a place where everyone can thrive. I will work tirelessly to enhance our community’s quality of life while also elevating the careers of the brave men and women in our Sheriff’s Office. Through clear, principled stances on the issues that matter most, I aim to ensure that our county remains a great place to live, work, and serve. I firmly believe in conservative values and the rule of law, and I will defend the U.S. Constitution—including protecting the Second Amendment rights of law‑abiding citizens—at all costs.
Zero Tolerance for Violent Crime and Domestic Violence Catawba County has seen a rise in violent crime and shootings like never before—and it’s time to act. As your Sheriff, I will assemble a specialized Violent Crime Task Force to aggressively target gangs, repeat offenders, and gun violence. This task force will be proactive, intelligence-driven, and relentless in tracking down those who threaten our community. When it comes to domestic violence, there will be no tolerance. Offenders will face the full force of the law—no second chances, no leniency. Victims will be treated as a top priority with immediate support, protection, and resources. I will ensure deputies are trained to respond with compassion, urgency, and firmness to break the cycle of abuse and make our homes safe again.
Unify Our Law Enforcement Right now, agencies across Catawba County often operate separately, leading to gaps in communication, response, and coverage. As Sheriff, I will deputize every law enforcement officer in the county, bringing together city, town, and county departments under one unified response system. This effort isn’t just about strategy—it’s about building a law enforcement family. I want every officer in this county to feel like they are part of something bigger, valued and supported—not isolated by department lines or political divisions. When we work together, we protect each other and serve better. Unifying our law enforcement will also help reduce the revolving door of officers constantly jumping from agency to agency. With stronger collaboration, shared resources, and equal respect across jurisdictions, we’ll improve retention and boost morale—creating a stronger, more stable team for our communities.
Dedicated Traffic Unit For far too long, Friday and Saturday nights on Highway 70 in Hickory have become scenes of lawlessness—street takeovers, reckless driving, and frequent collisions that have taken lives and put innocent people at risk. This isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a public safety crisis that demands real action. As Sheriff, I will launch a specialized Traffic Enforcement Unit with one mission: to tackle serious violations of the law that are endangering lives. This is not about writing speeding tickets. This is about cracking down on reckless drivers, street racers, drunk drivers, and those who have no regard for others on the road. This unit will focus on the hot zones—from Highway 70 to the backroads of our rural communities, from late-night intersections to neighborhoods where your kids wait for the school bus. We will be where the problems are, and we will put an end to the chaos. Traffic enforcement isn’t just about traffic—it’s about life and death. And we’re going to treat it that way.
Increased Transparency The people of Catawba County deserve to know what’s happening in their Sheriff’s Office—how resources are used, what priorities are being set, and what progress is being made. Transparency builds trust, and trust builds safer communities. Transparency will include public dashboards that display real-time crime data, arrest statistics, staffing updates, and community engagement efforts. Residents won’t be left in the dark—they’ll be informed, empowered, and included. Just as important, there will be regular public meetings and community advisory sessions to gather input, answer questions, and discuss major decisions openly. Community members will have a seat at the table—not just during elections, but year-round. When the people are informed and involved, accountability becomes automatic—and the entire county becomes stronger.
Fixing Our Staffing Crisis In recent years, we've seen a concerning trend of way too many deputies leaving our area to serve in other jurisdictions. A significant factor contributing to this exodus has been the prevailing administration's policies and approaches to management. Many deputies have voiced their dissatisfaction with inadequate training opportunities, insufficient support for their well-being, and a lack of investment in morale-boosting initiatives. These factors have created an environment where our dedicated deputies feel undervalued and overworked. As a result, some have sought positions in other areas that offer better resources, support, and career advancement opportunities. The loss of experienced deputies not only impacts our office's operational efficiency but also affects community safety and trust. Each deputy who leaves takes with them invaluable experience and knowledge that is difficult to replace. This has created gaps in staffing, it reduces community engagement, and hinders effective law enforcement. Addressing these issues is crucial for retaining our deputies. By prioritizing their training, well-being, and morale, we can create a more supportive work environment that encourages them to stay. When deputies feel supported, valued, and equipped for their roles, they are more likely to remain in our area and serve our community with pride. Investing in our deputies is not just an administrative responsibility; it's essential for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of our law enforcement services.
Build Stronger Futures Public safety isn’t just about arrests—it’s about prevention, opportunity, and changing the path forward. To truly reduce crime long-term, we must invest in the people and communities that need support the most. That starts with our youth. We will prioritize mentorship programs, school outreach, and positive engagement with at-risk kids—giving them hope, direction, and someone to believe in them before they head down the wrong road. We’ll also strengthen partnerships for addiction recovery, mental health resources, and reentry programs that help former offenders become productive, law-abiding members of society. This is how we break the cycle of crime. By investing in people, by addressing the root causes, and by offering real solutions—not just jail cells. We’re not just fighting crime—we’re building stronger futures for the next generation.
Community First Policing For far too long, Catawba County has been driven by politics and career politicians—while public safety has taken a back seat. Decisions have been made to protect power, not people. That ends now. This county doesn’t need another politician. It needs a lawman. A real lawman. Someone who understands the streets, who knows what families are facing, and who isn’t afraid to make tough calls that put safety first—no matter the political cost. As Sheriff, I will not play political games with your safety. Every decision will be guided by one mission: protecting our communities with integrity, transparency, and courage. No political favors. No backdoor deals. Just law and order—guided by what’s right, not what’s convenient. Catawba County deserves leadership that puts people before politics. That’s exactly what I’ll deliver.
Safety Before Politics Always For far too long, Catawba County has been driven by politics and career politicians—while public safety has taken a back seat. Decisions have been made to protect power, not people. That ends now. This county doesn’t need another politician. It needs a lawman. A real lawman. Someone who understands the streets, who knows what families are facing, and who isn’t afraid to make tough calls that put safety first—no matter the political cost. As Sheriff, I will not play political games with your safety. Every decision will be guided by one mission: protecting our communities with integrity, transparency, and courage. No political favors. No backdoor deals. Just law and order—guided by what’s right, not what’s convenient. Catawba County deserves leadership that puts people before politics. That’s exactly what I’ll deliver.
