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Sheriff Clifford Fowler
In the fall of 1920 Clifford Fowler was elected Sheriff. Noted for his ability as an investigator, many of Sheriff Fowler’s cases are still talked about today. One of the best remembered was that of an armored car robbery which actually occurred in Mecklenburg County. The job was planned and pulled by three prominent Union County men. Sheriff Fowler uncovered facts leading to arrests and convictions. Serving under Fowler at different times were Will Armfield, John Williams, Lee Walkup, Parks Helms, Ax Stallings and Frank Niven. Sheriff Fowler served continuously until the fall of 1932, when B. Frank Niven was elected.
Sheriff Frank Niven
Sheriff Niven, a Waxhaw merchant, served one term at this time and was succeeded by J. W. Spoon. Sheriff Spoon resigned as Chief of Police of Monroe to run for Office of Sheriff. In theses days the Sheriff was also the Tax Collector. Spoon had secured his bond for Sheriff but not the one for Tax Collector. He could not take office until he was properly bonded. Coroner Roy B. Funderburk moved into the jail and spent two nights. He decided the going got too tough and called Spoon’s deputy Flann Helms for assistance. The Coroner said, “It was just before Christmas and there was a lot of liquor floating around.” Sheriff Spoon assumed the office of December 20, 1934, and served until December 1936, when former Sheriff B. Frank Niven was elected to another term. Funderburk served 20 days as Sheriff Ex-Officio.
During the 1930’s an outlaw named Rob Kennedy terrorized the county. Kennedy broke into smokehouses, barns and the like. Many times the culprit was sighted but managed to elude his would-be captors. Sheriff Niven was credited with finally ending Kennedy’s siege. Niven was able to locate the outlaw’s current hideout and staked it out. The ordeal ended with Kennedy shot in the foot.
During Sheriff Niven’s administration the duties of Tax Collector were removed from the Office and a separate position was established. Niven continued in office until 1950, when he was appointed Tax Collector by the County Commissioners. Serving as deputies under Sheriff Niven were Jesse A. Helms, later to become Monroe Police Chief and Fire Chief, and Lee Walkup.
Sheriff Ben Wolfe
In 1950, Ben H. Wolfe was elected Sheriff of Union County. Sheriff Wolfe served a colorful term, but a dangerous one. Twice during Wolfe’s administration he was seriously injured; being run down by a truck on one occasion and shot in the arm on another. Sheriff Wolfe was a Monroe merchant prior to his election. When he was Sheriff, Wolfe was authorized to have three deputies. He personally owned the vehicles used by the department and was paid expenses by the County. Serving as Deputies under Sheriff Wolfe at different times were Hal Stewart, Cliff Dutton, Shelly Griffin and Edwin Sims.Wolfe did not seek re-election in 1958 and D. Shelly Griffin was voted into the office.
Sheriff Shelly Griffin
Sheriff Griffin was authorized three Deputies when he took office. Each man furnished his own vehicle and was paid a flat expense fee by the county. In 1962, the County for the first time put all Deputies in uniforms. In 1968, the first marked Sheriff’s cars were purchased by the county. Sheriff Griffin served continuously until 1970, when he retired from public service. Prior to being a Deputy, Griffin was a Monroe Policeman. Serving as Deputies under Sheriff Griffin at different times were Frank L. Fowler, Kenneth Helms, Edwin Sims, James Clontz, Cliff Dutton, Curtis Rollins, Eugene Myers, Tommy Rollins, Rufus Coffey, Kenneth McCain, Frank McGuirt, Frank Hyatt and Doyle Martin.
paulinelucore@co.union.nc.us
 I had an occasion recently to direct traffic on a local roadway in Union County. Several things occurred me while I was working. Many motorists seem to be in need of a few pointers when coming in contact with a law enforcement or traffic-control officer in this capacity.
I’d like to share a few:
· Please stay alert to what the officer is motioning for you to do.
·Please use your turn signal if you are turning. We don’t know your intention unless you let us know.
·If the officer motions for you to stop, please stop several car lengths from the officer. Please stop completely; those that creep up on us make us very nervous. Again, we don’t know the intention of every driver and not everyone is a nice as you.
·If you are in a hurry, please be patient. We wouldn’t be directing traffic unless there is a need. Blowing the horn and shouting at us as you drive by will not speed the process.
·Please put your cell phone down. Distractions are dangerous to the officer as well as you and the other cars around you.
·Please wear your seat belt at all times. We have had numerous vehicles almost hit us as the driver is attempting to put their seatbelt on.
·Know more than one route to your destination. If we have to detour you, we cannot give directions while directing traffic. You may have to follow the car in front of you and stop somewhere further down the road to ask someone directions.
·Please be aware that failure to obey a law enforcement or traffic-control officer is a chargeable offense GS 20-114.1(a) which carries a $50.00 fine plus $130.00 court cost and one point on your driver’s license.
·Traffic-control officers include those invested by law with authority to direct traffic as well as uniformed regular and volunteer firemen and uniformed regular and volunteer members of a rescue squad.
Our main concern is safety for the motoring public and the officers. When an officer is standing in the street, his/her main safety equipment is driver awareness. Our bulletproof vest doesn’t stop a vehicle.
Thanks for reading…it is our pleasure to serve the citizens of Union County.
paulinelucore@co.union.nc.us
I would like to let the citizens of Union County know about a program offered to help locate and return wandering adults and children to their families and caregivers. The Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Pilot Club of Monroe have teamed together to offer this program that uses state-of-the-art technology to locate wandering individuals. This program was launched in May 2007 but is not used very often. It is a wonderful service available to the citizens of Union County. The original press release has all the information about the program, so I’m including it.
Project Lifesaver Provides Peace of Mind
Wandering is a leading safety concern for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia disorder, as well as families with children afflicted with Down syndrome, autism or brain injuries.
Participants in Project Lifesaver wear a one-ounce bracelet on the wrist or ankle that emits a constant pulsating radio tracking signal 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each bracelet has a unique radio frequency. If a person becomes lost or missing, an officer is dispatched to the area and searches with a mobile locater tracking system. The system can be used on the ground or in the air.
“This devise eliminates the need to deploy the fire department and other emergency personnel whenever a person wanders off. When someone calls to report a missing person who is wearing a Project Lifesaver bracelet, our officers can use the tracking system to locate the missing person within minutes.”
- Eddie Cathey, Union County Sheriff
Project Lifesaver, which serves individuals living in private homes, not nursing homes or professional care facilities, has rescued more than 2,100 wanderers since the program began in April 1999, with an average rescue time of less than 30 minutes compared to other search operations that can last for days. Currently, more than 500 agencies participate in the Project Lifesaver program, including sheriff, police and fire departments, and search and rescue teams in 40 states. These numbers were current as of May 2007.
It is estimated that 4.5 million Americans today have Alzheimer’s disease. By the year 2030, 15 million persons will be affected. 59% develop the tendency to wander. 72% wander repeatedly If not found in 24 hours, there is only a 50% chance of finding them alive.
Twelve Union County Sheriff deputies have been specially trained, not only in search and rescue and the use of the electronic tracking equipment, but also in the methods needed to communicate with a person who has Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders.
Locating a lost individual is only part of the mission. The person who is lost may be disoriented, anxious and untrusting. Deputies have been trained on the proper ways to approach the person, gain their trust and put them at ease for their trip home.
The Pilot Club of Monroe is a strong supporter of Project Lifesaver, and members of the club will visit homes to change batteries and wristbands every month. Project Lifesaver is an initiative endorsed by the club’s national organization.
“The Pilot Club came to us with the idea for the project in Union County virtually at the same time we went to them,” said Chief Deputy Ben Bailey. “We had seen presentations on the technology in different places, and the stars aligned perfectly to make this project happen.”
Wrist transmitter packages can be purchased for $250. The Sheriff’s Office has 12 wrist transmitter packages available for indigent citizens of Union County who cannot afford to pay $250. Those transmitters, as well as two mobile tracking devises, were purchased by the Union County Crime Prevention Committees, Inc. “That organization made it financially possible for us to begin this program,” Bailey said. “We are deeply indebted for their support.”
Those interested in purchasing a wrist transmitter package or wishing to apply for indigent status should contact Lt. William Thompson of the Sheriff’s Office at 704-283-3765.
Project Lifesaver is totally funded from grants and private donations. Any individual or organization wanting to help more adults and children have access to this life saving technology can donate to the project by contacting the Sheriff’s Office or the Pilot Club.
For a brochure on Project Lifesaver, click here.
paulinelucore@co.union.nc.us
A history of the Union County Sheriff’s Office is like a history of the county itself. As our county has grown and diversified, her primary law enforcement agency has gone forward with her.
Sheriff Wilson
At the formation of Union County, on the first Monday in April of 1842, the magistrates (justices of the peace) met at Le Batt’s Cross Roads and elected the new county’s officers. William Wilson, a native of the Tirzah section of the county and a Jackson Democrat became out first sheriff. Not much is known about Sheriff Wilson or his term of office. The first terms of court of the county were held in a gin house at Le Batt’s. One of the first offenders convicted was sentenced to the pillory – no stocks had been built however. So the judge ordered Sheriff Wilson to have the man place his head in an opening in the fence surrounding the gin house and remain there for an hour.
Sheriff Richardson
Sheriff Wilson attended three terms of court and went home sick after the October 1843 session and died that month. At Wilson’s death, Coroner John Blount served as sheriff ex-officio until the first Monday in January of 1844, when a regular election was held. Alex W. Richardson was the first duly elected Sheriff of Union County. Not much is known about Sheriff Richardson. He is buried at Price’s Chapel Cemetery near Waxhaw.
Sheriff Rushing
On the first Thursday in August of 1846, Darling Rushing was elected Sheriff. Sheriff Rushing went on to be re-elected to three successive terms. Rushing was from the east end of the county. He was also the first moderator of the Union Baptist Association and served two terms in the state legislature.
It was during Sheriff Rushing’s term of office that a new jail was built. Prior to this time a log house with two rooms was used as a jail. It was sometime around late 1847 that the jail was built. A man named John Medlin was convicted of killing one of his slaves and ordered to pay a fine of $3000.00 and the cost of court. With this the county erected the brick building situated at what is now the corner of Hayne and Jefferson Streets. This building served as the sheriff’s office, his home and the jail. In 1893, this building was sold to the City of Monroe for $2880.00 for use as a City Hall.
Sheriff Sikes
Joshua Sikes was elected Sheriff of Union County on the first Thursday in August, 1854. Sheriff Sikes took office at the age of 51. He was re-elected in 1856 but died in December of that year. Coroner Henry Long acted as Sheriff ex-officio until January 1857.
Sheriff Austin
Culpepper Austin was elected Sheriff by the magistrates in January of 1857. Sheriff Austin took office at the age of 38. He served out the unexpired term of Sheriff Sikes and continuously re-elected until August 1864.
Sheriff Rogers
In August 1864, Franklin L. Rogers was elected Sheriff. In May of 1865, after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee, a detachment of the Union Army under the Command of a Colonel Jones came to the county to re-establish civil government under reconstruction. All county officials were brought before Colonel Jones and required to take an oath of allegiance to the federal government. Sheriff Rogers refused and was removed from the office by the Army. The Colonel, in turn, appointed for Sheriff Culpepper Austin back to the office after he took the oath. Sheriff Austin served out the term of Rogers and was re-elected to another term in 1866.
Sheriff Hasty
Austin lost to John J. Hasty in an April election of 1868. Sheriff Hasty won another term over Austin in August 1870.
Sheriff Stevens
On the first Thursday in August 1872, A. Frank Stevens, a Monroe merchant, defeated Hasty for the office of Sheriff of Union County. Sheriff Stevens did not file for re-election.
Sheriff Griffin
In August of 1874, John Wilson Griffin won over John J. Hasty in the Sheriff’s race. Sheriff Griffin was re-elected in 1876. In November of 1878, John J. Hasty did win another term, this time defeating J. Perry Horne.
Sheriff price
In November of 1880, A. Joe Price, a Wesley Chapel farmer was elected Sheriff of Union County. During Sheriff Price’s administration a jail inmate went berserk and was shot to death, in self defense, by deputies. This occurred in the old jail. Price was elected to another term in November 1882. Not only was Price Sheriff, his services to the county included the offices of magistrate, County Commissioner, County Treasurer and member of the Board of Education. Ell Austin served as Deputy under Sheriff Price.
Sheriff Horne
In November 1884, J. Perry Horne was elected Sheriff over John J. Hasty. During Sheriff Horne’s term of office the county’s third jail was built. Erected in 1893, the Stewart Street structure served well until the occupancy of a modern jail in what was known as the new courthouse.
Sheriff Perry
Sheriff J. Perry Horne was continuously re-elected until November of 1896, when he was succeeded by his son, Ben A. Horne. The elder Sheriff Horne, a native of Lane’s Creek Township, served as a Constable and Magistrate before being elected Sheriff. Ben Horne served as a deputy under his father for eight years. In 1892, he was named Chief of Police of the City of Monroe and held that position until his election as Sheriff. Sheriff Ben Horne was most noted for solving a safe job at a post office which was located in Unionville. On another occasion, he pursued a wanted man into a gin building on South Main Street in Monroe. The man fired a pistol at the Sheriff and the Sheriff returned the fire, struck the man and seriously injured him. The man recovered and justice was done but the downtown gunfight was long remembered. Duke Myers served as a Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Ben Horne. After leaving the office, Horne operated a mercantile and livestock business in Marshville.
Sheriff Griffith
At even more unusual father and son set of terms began in November of 1908. At that time John Griffith was elected Sheriff. Sheriff Griffith’s son, Julian, served as a Deputy under his father. The elder Griffith served two terms and then Julian was elected o the office in November of 1912. Sheriff Julian Griffith was re-elected in 1914 and 1916. He was again nominated in 1918, but died late in October of that year. With the election only a few days away, the Democratic Party placed John Griffith’s name on the ballot and he was again elected to the office; thereby succeeding his son who succeeded him. Serving as Deputies at different times under the Griffiths were Earl Griffith, Paul Griffith, and Clifford Fowler.
Thanks for stopping by the Union County Sheriff, Community Voices blog. I’ll be featuring Part III in an upcoming article.
paulinelucore@co.union.nc.us
Sheriff Eddie Cathey arrived at the Union County Board of Elections Office today, Feb 8th, at high noon to file for election for the Office of Sheriff. Sheriff Cathey was elected as the first Republican Sheriff of Union County in 2002. The Sheriff’s term is four years. He is running for his third consecutive term. Sheriff Cathey served twenty seven years with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and retired at the rank of First Sergeant before being elected Sheriff.
Sheriff Cathey leads a department of approximately two hundred fifty men and women. The Sheriff’s Office is a full service law enforcement agency providing services to the citizens of Union County twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The Sheriff is tasked with operating the jail, providing security for the courts, answering calls for service, investigating crimes, operating animal services, and serving civil processes in Union County. Union County has a population of approximately 193,000 and covers nearly 643 square miles of land.
Sheriff Cathey encourages you to visit his website at Union County Sheriff.
paulinelucore@co.union.nc.us
Two Union County Deputies recently received the Sheriff’s Commendation Award for saving the life of a citizen.
Deputy Michelle Hannon and Deputy Dale Paxton encountered a gentleman suffering a heart attack while performing their duties as Deputy Sheriffs. They immediately initiated CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) which ultimately led to the restoration of heart and respiratory function in the victim. The victim was then transported by ambulance to Carolinas Medical Center- Union.
All deputies are certified by the American Red Cross in First Aid and CPR through regular on the job training. Deputy Hannon has been teaching CPR through the American Red Cross for three years. This was her third “save”. Deputy Paxton is an active member of Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department when he is not at work as a deputy.
When asked about this incident Hannon responded,
“Not only is it rewarding to save a life, but being able to see them after recovery with their family is priceless!”
Michelle Hannon – Union County Sheriff Deputy
If you or someone you know is interested in learning how to perform CPR or other type First Aid, please contact American Red Cross of Union County 608 E. Franklin Street Monroe, NC 28112 Telephone: Union – 704-283-7402, Anson – 704-694-3514 | Fax: 704-282-0810 or visit their website at www.unioncountyredcross.org.
paulinelucore@co.union.nc.us
I thought it would be appropriate to start my “Community Voices” blog with information concerning the Office of Sheriff and the history of the Union County, NC Sheriff’s Office. I hope you will find it as interesting as I do. A special thanks to former Union County Sheriff Frank McGuirt for allowing us to share his writing.
The Office Of The Union County, NC Sheriff
Much of our modern law in the United States has been handed down to us from English Common Law. Sometime between the seventh and ninth centuries there developed in England geographical areas known as “Shires”. A shire would be equivalent to a county of today. Over each shire was one man who was charged with much responsibility. This man was called the “Reeve”. The Reeve had military and judicial authority and was appointed by noblemen, or by the king in areas not owned by noblemen. From the words “Shire” and “Reeve” developed the term Sheriff.
So we now have the modern County Sheriff. One of the oldest offices under the democratic system, the Sheriff has remained diversified. What does the Sheriff do? He is the primary law enforcement officer of the county; charged with investigation of crimes and apprehension of criminals. The Sheriff is charged with the service of all civil processes in the county, summons, orders, executions, claim and deliveries, and related papers. It is the responsibility of the Sheriff to see that all felons are transported to the state prison and provide detention and transportation for mentally ill people to the proper hospitals.
It has been said that there are six major operations in the administration of criminal justice – policing, prosecution, courts, probation, corrections and parole. The office of Sheriff has close ties to the policing, the judicial, and the correctional functions.
paulinelucore@co.union.nc.us
I’m Sgt. Pauline Lucore and welcome to the Union County Sheriff Community Voices blog. We are proud to be part of The Scoop Network of community websites. Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey and the entire Sheriff’s Office believe in participating in our community at every level. We are your neighbors and we work hard at what we do. We hope to use this site and write about what we are doing at the Sheriff office and to help keep the public updated. I look forward to your participation with me in the form of comments or even suggestions.
paulinelucore@co.union.nc.us
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