Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright announced his retirement on Friday afternoon.
He said his last day will be June 30.
A news release says he submitted a letter announcing his retirement to the Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners.
“In his letter, Sheriff Wright expressed his gratitude for having had the opportunity to succeed his mentor, Sheriff Earl ‘Moose’ Butler, and his thankfulness to the citizens of Cumberland County for electing him as sheriff,” the news release says.
“The letter also acknowledges the statutory duty of his Chief Deputy, C. Jack Broadus, to assume the duty to act as sheriff until the commissioners appoint a successor, and Sheriff Wright asked the commissioners to appoint Major Johnathan T. Morgan to succeed him as sheriff,” the news release says.
Wright has been the sheriff since January 2017, when the county commissioners appointed him to replace Butler after Butler retired in late 2016. Wright had been Butler’s chief deputy. Since then he has won election and reelection, and would next have been up for election in November 2026. Whoever replaces Wright would have to stand for election in 2026 to remain in office.
Cumberland commissioners’ Chair Kirk deViere issued a statement upon Wright’s announcement.
“On behalf of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, I am honored to recognize Sheriff Ennis W. Wright, who has announced his retirement after nearly three decades of faithful service to our community,” deViere said.
“Sheriff Wright is the first African‑American to hold the office in our County’s history, and in doing so, he has paved the way for future generations to see themselves as leaders in law enforcement. His trailblazing spirit, combined with his unwavering commitment to fairness and community, has left a lasting mark, not just on the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, but on the entire region,” he said.
Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Maj. Johnathan T. Morgan’s first name.
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