By November 2025, I had begun seriously thinking about what I wanted to do after my career in law enforcement. I retired from the PCSO in 2024 and had returned to work for the department part-time. I knew I wasn’t ready to walk away from serving the people of Person County.

When I realized no one had yet stepped forward to run for Sheriff, I had a decision to make. I could stand on the sidelines and hope for change, or I could step up and be part of that change.

My years in law enforcement and military service had given me the experience, leadership, and perspective to understand the responsibility that comes with this position. I knew the job would not be easy, but I also knew I had something to offer.

Ultimately, I had to ask myself a simple question: if I believe I can make a difference, am I willing to step forward and do it? I decided I was.

My priorities are addressing drugs and addiction, reducing repeat offenses, improving the safety and effectiveness of our jail, and bringing strong, accountable leadership to the Sheriff’s Office.

Drugs and addiction are connected to many of the challenges we see in our jail and in our community. We need firm and consistent enforcement against those who sell drugs and profit from addiction, while also doing more to connect people struggling with addiction or mental health issues to treatment and recovery resources. I want to strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers, recovery programs, and local organizations so that people leaving our jail have a better opportunity to succeed and not return.

We also need to address repeat offenses. That means working closely with prosecutors, courts, treatment providers, and other law-enforcement agencies to make sure we are doing everything within our authority to hold offenders accountable and reduce the cycle of crime and incarceration.

And we have to take care of the people doing this work. Our deputies and detention officers deserve the training, equipment, staffing, and leadership they need to do their jobs safely and professionally. I spent 19 years in a supervisory role, and I understand that good leadership means setting clear expectations, supporting your people, and holding yourself and others accountable.

My goal is a Sheriff’s Office that is professional, transparent, accountable, and prepared to protect everyone in Person County.

I respect anyone who is willing to step forward and ask the people of Person County for their vote. What I bring to the table is a combination of military experience, firsthand knowledge of the Sheriff’s Office, and leadership experience that I believe is important for this position.

My career in law enforcement included work in detention, patrol, courthouse security, inmate transportation, and narcotics operations. I spent 19 years in a supervisory role, where I was responsible for leading people, making difficult decisions, and managing public resources. My eight years as an Army military police officer also gave me valuable experience in discipline, leadership, and responding calmly under pressure.

I know this county. I know this office. And I understand the work our deputies and detention officers do because I have stood in their shoes.

I’m not asking voters to choose me based on what I say I might do. I’m asking them to look at my experience, my record of service, and the way I have spent my career serving this county.

Since deciding to run, I have been preparing for the responsibilities of this position by listening, learning, and building relationships with people who can help address the challenges we face.

That preparation has included meeting with local addiction recovery groups and touring a reentry facility in a neighboring county to learn about programs that help people successfully transition after incarceration. We have to take accountability seriously while also doing more to reduce repeat offenses.

I have also met with local first responder leaders to hear what they need from the Sheriff’s Office and discuss how our agencies can work together more effectively.

I have continued to pursue training to prepare for the challenges facing law enforcement today, including training focused on the protection of children and identifying potential victims of exploitation.

I am not waiting until Election Day to start preparing. I am doing the work now so that, if the voters entrust me with this responsibility, I am ready to get to work on day one.

I bring a career of experience in the Sheriff’s Office, including 19 years in a supervisory role. I managed budgets, led Courthouse Security, and supervised the transportation team responsible for moving inmates and involuntary commitment patients throughout North Carolina and across state lines.

I also served nine years on patrol, two years as a detention officer, and assisted the Narcotics Team with drug roundups. My eight years in the Army as a Military Police officer and member of a Combat Support Team taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure.

Over the course of my career, I learned to listen, analyze the facts, plan carefully, and find solutions. I also learned that leadership means staying steady and doing the job when things get difficult.

That experience has prepared me to step into the role of Sheriff and get to work on day one.

My vision is for a Sheriff’s Office that is professional, prepared, accountable, and trusted by the people it serves.

I want our deputies and detention officers to have the leadership, training, equipment, and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. I want our office to work closely with other law enforcement agencies, first responders, and local organizations because public safety is strongest when we work together.

We will be firm and consistent in addressing drugs and crime while also recognizing that addiction, mental health, and repeat offenses require more than enforcement alone.

Above all, I want the Sheriff’s Office to be an agency where people are treated fairly and with dignity, where decisions are made with integrity, and where leadership is accountable for its actions.

Accountability starts with being accessible and willing to listen. I will maintain open communication with the people of Person County and make myself available to hear their concerns, questions, and ideas.

I will provide honest updates about the Sheriff’s Office, including our progress, our challenges, and how taxpayer dollars are being spent. I believe people deserve to understand the decisions being made on their behalf, even when those decisions are difficult.

I will also welcome constructive criticism and take responsibility for the decisions made under my leadership. Being Sheriff means being accountable not only when things go right, but when they don’t.

I will never lose sight of who I work for: the people of Person County.

I approach collaboration by listening first, communicating honestly, and keeping the needs of Person County ahead of politics or personal agendas. We may not always agree, but disagreement does not have to prevent us from working together.

I believe in the power of building strong working relationships with county officials and staff, other law enforcement agencies, first responders, businesses, faith leaders, and local organizations. When priorities compete, I will clearly communicate the needs of the Sheriff’s Office, listen to different perspectives, and work toward solutions that serve the best interests of the county.

Good leadership depends on people being willing to communicate, cooperate, and find ways to move forward even when they do not see every issue the same way.

I was raised by a single parent who spent her life providing for me and my brother. She taught me the importance of living a life guided by honesty, integrity, fairness, accountability, and respect for every person.

My military service taught me discipline, teamwork, and the importance of completing the mission. My career in law enforcement taught me to listen carefully, examine the facts, and make decisions based on what is right, not on politics, favoritism, or personal relationships.

Transparency begins with open communication. As Sheriff, I will keep the people of Person County informed about the priorities, policies, challenges, and progress of their Sheriff’s Office while protecting confidential information and the integrity of investigations. I will be accessible, hold regular public meetings, explain major decisions when appropriate, and provide responsible reporting on how taxpayer dollars are being used.

I will also work to create a workplace where employees can raise concerns and share feedback openly. I can’t promise to be perfect. No one is. But I can promise to accept responsibility when mistakes are made and take action to correct them.

My commitment is to lead with honesty, make decisions based on the facts, and be accountable to the people I serve.

Fiscal responsibility starts with knowing where the money is going and being able to explain why it is being spent. During my time at the courthouse, I managed a budget and learned the importance of planning ahead and making responsible choices with public resources.

As Sheriff, I will conduct regular reviews of spending, seek competitive pricing for major purchases, closely monitor overtime, and maintain accurate records of vehicles, equipment, and other assets. I will also pursue available grants to support training, equipment, and other needs when appropriate, reducing the burden on local taxpayers.

I will work closely with the county commissioners to clearly communicate the needs of the Sheriff’s Office and plan responsibly for both current and future expenses. I will also be transparent with the public about how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

My approach will be simple: spend responsibly, identify unnecessary costs, prioritize public safety, and make sure the resources entrusted to the Sheriff’s Office are being used where they are needed most.

Person County is experiencing significant growth and development, and I believe the Sheriff’s Office needs to be prepared for what that growth will mean for public safety.

With projects such as the Duke Energy natural gas facility, the Moriah Energy Center, the Microsoft data center, and the Woodsdale Project, I would work to build relationships with the companies and organizations involved so the Sheriff’s Office understands what is being planned and can prepare for the potential impact on public safety, traffic, emergency response, and staffing. I would also work closely with county officials and other first responders as these projects move forward.

I believe Flock cameras can be a valuable law enforcement tool for locating stolen vehicles and assisting in criminal investigations. At the same time, they must be used responsibly, with clear policies, proper training, limited access, and regular oversight. If the cameras are still in use when I take office, I will establish clear guidelines for when and why they can be accessed and require that every search be documented and subject to review. I will personally oversee regular audits of the system to ensure it is being used appropriately and for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Any allegation of misuse will be taken seriously and investigated.