Longtime law enforcement veteran Johnathan Morgan is the new sheriff of Cumberland County.
The county Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Monday morning to appoint Morgan, who was a major and the operations commander in the Sheriff’s Office, to complete the remainder of former Sheriff Ennis Wright’s term. Wright retired in June and endorsed Morgan as his replacement.
Including Morgan, nine people had applied for the vacant position.
Morgan’s term runs through Dec. 31, 2026. He said he intends to run for election next year to retain the office. His annual salary is $195,000.
“I feel excited,” Morgan said. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the community and in our county government.”
Morgan now oversees an organization of more than 500 people, the Sheriff’s Office said. It listed 268 deputies, 16 traffic control officers, 95 detention officers, and 138 civilians. As is standard practice when a new sheriff takes over, or a sheriff is re-elected, all the employees are to participate in swearing-in ceremonies this week.
It was “just amazing” that Wright endorsed him, Morgan said. “I thought I was going to be retiring as a major with the Sheriff’s Office, and being endorsed by the sheriff is, you know, it’s a blessing, and I was honored,” he said.
He said he got his start in public service 30 years ago as a volunteer firefighter. After joining the Sheriff’s Office as road patrol deputy, Morgan said, he has worked in every sworn officer division in the agency, and worked his way up until he became head of the Operations Division, where he supervised 149 people.
“I’m fortunate and blessed to have served and learned under the leadership of Sheriff Earl ‘Moose’ Butler and Sheriff Ennis Wright,” Morgan said. He promised to continue his predecessors’ tradition of service. “My vision is to lead the sheriff’s office into a new era focused on public safety, community trust and strong partnerships.”
Some of Morgan’s goals:
- Improve recruitment and retention of deputies and other staff.
- Boost community outreach. “We will expand our outreach to educational programs, neighborhood events, being present, being engaged. That’s how we build lasting trust.”
- Build partnerships. “Crime does not stop at city or county lines,” he said. “I’m committed to strengthening partnerships with neighboring agencies, mental health providers, educators and community leaders. Together, we can deliver the coordinated response our community deserves.
The Board of Commissioners sought a smooth leadership transition and continuity of operations in its decision to select Morgan, board chair Kirk deViere said. Morgan’s experience and understanding of Sheriff’s Office operations and procedures made him “uniquely qualified to fulfill the unexpired term,” he said.
Morgan’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday in the old Cumberland County Courthouse, said Lt. Patrice Bogerty, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. The public is invited to attend.
Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.
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