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Request to be added to the Orange County Sheriff Office's Community Watch. Community Watch Sign up for daily emails below. You can start a community watch in your neighborhood or area. Contact 1st Lieutenant Roberson for more information: Phone: (919) 245-2921 Email: troberson@orangecountync.gov

fbed0ab2-8ff8-46d9-a3e2-7106acaa9354 < Back VUKMER WAIVES EXTRADITION April 6, 2026 Hillsborough, NC (April 6, 2026) – Matthew Vukmer, the man charged with the stabbing death of Paula Floyd, waived extradition today during a court hearing in Grayson County, Virginia. Virginia authorities have been holding Vukmer under a fugitive from justice charge in the New River Valley Regional Jail in Dublin, Virginia since March 6, 2026, the day of Ms. Floyd’s death. Vukmer drove away from the murder scene immediately after the crime, and members of the Capital Area Regional Task Force in Grayson County took him into custody at 5:15 pm that evening. North Carolina follows the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, designed to ensure the return of defendants who flee a state attempting to avoid criminal prosecution there. Extradition can be a complicated process, but in simplest terms relevant to the alleged murder of Paula Floyd, extradition refers to the legal proceedings involved in transferring the custody of Vukmer from Virginia back to North Carolina. Defendants can waive extradition or participate in formal extradition proceedings, which require a Governor’s warrant and a hearing. As a broad generalization, the process takes approximately 30 days, as it did in this case. Sheriff Blackwood said, “We will confer with the District Attorney and make plans for Vukmer’s transport back to Orange County where we will serve him with the North Carolina murder warrant. At that point, the case formally transfers to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Although that transition is an important step forward in the pursuit of justice, we are aware that no legal proceeding can undo the profound loss experienced by the victim’s loved ones. We continue to offer them our deepest condolences.” Vukmer will be held at the Orange County Detention Center. Previous Related Releases Vukmer In Custody Woman Dies After Being Stabbed; Investigators Look For Assailant Previous Next 1/0

Learn more about Visitation at the Orange County Detention Center. Detention Center Visitation You have the option to visit a detainee in-person or virtually using a system called HomeWav. Virtual Visits: Free 30-minute virtual visits are available by using the detention center's terminals. A user must go to HomeWav.com and schedule a weekday visit between 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The user must come to the detention center at the scheduled time to use the system. If you wish to visit virtually on your own mobile device or tablet, you must install the HomeWav app. Video visits using your device cost $.30 (cents) per minute. Video messages of up to one minute in length cost $.60 (cents). In-Person Visits: Detainees submit a visitation list weekly of persons with whom they wish to visit. Those visitors must fill out the form linked below , and have it approved, in advance. Then they must bring the chosen form of photo identification with them for any visit.

d2656ca2-7983-406e-ae67-4358026e1745 < Back VUKMER IN CUSTODY AT THE ORANGE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER April 10, 2026 Hillsborough, NC (April 10, 2026) – After waiving extradition proceedings in Grayson County, Virginia earlier in the week, Matthew Vukmer is now in the custody of the Orange County Detention Center. Investigators formally served Vukmer with the first-degree murder charge taken out against him on March 6, 2026. The magistrate ordered him held without bond, which is customary in such cases. Vukmer is expected to have his first appearance before a district court judge at the 2:00 PM session of court today. At that hearing, the judge will reiterate to the defendant the nature of the charge against him and remind him of his legal rights. The judge will also determine whether Vukmer plans to hire an attorney or if he qualifies for court-ordered counsel. Previous Next 1/0

75d06b94-3d97-4dac-bd0e-c9b34f88ee65 #49, Legislative Process June 28, 2023 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Mark Twain said, “Those that respect the law and love sausage should watch neither being made.” I spent a lot of time in Raleigh lately, and he was not wrong! Our government and the legislative process are complex. A law starts with an idea. In simple terms, a legislator sponsors a bill, other legislators sign onto it, and members of the General Assembly continue to tweak, change, and massage it as they pass the proposed legislation between their two chambers. Once Senators and members of the House of Representative pass the final version, the bill moves to the Governor for signature. The idea, of course, is to reach a final product that improves society or cures a problem. Despite generally good intentions, it takes enormous effort not to get stuck with bad law, or good law leading to unforeseen problems. In June 2017, with bi-partisan support, the General Assembly passed new legislation such that North Carolina was no longer the sole state automatically prosecuting juveniles as adults for crimes allegedly committed on or after their sixteenth birthday. The law took effect December 1, 2019. In my opinion, this law synthesized years of research and established a way to improve public safety, reduce juvenile recidivism, provide economic benefit, and avoid tagging young people with permanent criminal records for mistakes made prior to adulthood. However, as we learned when investigators developed a 17-year-old suspect in the tragic murders of Devin Clark and Lyric Woods in September 2022, the law, as written, protected the confidentiality of the juvenile until the judicial system transferred the case to adult court seven weeks later. This provision created a situation where we could only say that the suspect was a juvenile, but not specify the person’s name, age, race, or sex. We could not release a photo or reveal the suspect fled to another state. We could not discuss our progress with the victims’ families; we could only beg for their trust. As rumor and incorrect assumptions flourished in the petri dish of social media, we were silent. While authorities located the suspect, placed him in a juvenile detention facility, and eventually transported him to North Carolina, we could not reassure our community. Confidentiality trumped all other concerns. When a blogger, not subject to the law that tied our hands, publically identified the accused, we were unable to confirm or refute his information. Two serious flaws in the new law quickly became apparent. First, although local public safety was never in jeopardy because the juvenile left the state, we were prohibited from warning people in the city where he fled. “Watch out for a 17 year old,” would be useless information. Second, if the suspect remained in North Carolina but eluded authorities, we would have been unable to ask for the public’s help locating him. He could have gone shopping, hung out at the library, or picked up take-out as long as he avoided law enforcement officers. No one else would know he was a wanted person! Fortunately, sheriffs across the state, with the help of the staff at the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, lobbied lawmakers effectively at Legislative Day, an event where sheriffs in North Carolina meet with legislators to discuss public safety issues related to the concerns of their residents and the execution of their duties. We suggested improvements to the law, using the murder of Devin and Lyric to illustrate the need. Members of the General Assembly are currently finalizing a modification to the statute such that law enforcement officers can disclose certain confidential information if a superior court judge issues an order authorizing release. The technicalities are beyond the scope of this article, but the main requirements are that the juvenile allegedly committed a serious enough crime, presents a significant danger to self or others, and good cause exists for the disclosure. I have high hopes this modified bill will pass. It is terrible that it took the death of two teenagers to reveal the flaws in the original law, but necessity is well-known as the mother of invention. I am grateful our governmental system has a process to cure problems. It may be slow and cumbersome at times, but it attempts to respond to the will of the people. Collectively, North Carolina sheriffs convinced legislators the law needed to be modified, and I am proud of our work. If you have concerns about matters of public safety, please come talk to me or reach out to your elected officials in the General Assembly. Previous Next

Criminal Investigations at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Criminal Investigations Our elite team of eleven full-time investigators brings decades of combined experience and specialized training to solve Orange County's most serious crimes. The division handles over 700 cases per year, with each investigator analyzing and managing a caseload, including: Homicide investigations Property crimes Sexual assault cases Financial fraud Cybercrime Arson investigation Death scene analysis Larcenies and burglaries Beyond Traditional Investigation Our investigators use advanced forensic techniques and modern technology to: Analyze complex evidence Develop solid leads Conduct thorough interviews Build strong cases for prosecution Protecting Our Children Through the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) taskforce, members of our dedicated team work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to: Investigate online threats and tips Protect vulnerable youth Track predators Prevent exploitation Powerful Partnerships We maintain strong relationships with federal and state agencies to bring additional resources to Orange County, including: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) U.S. Marshals Service Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Department of Insurance (DOI) NC Secretary of State Others Major Josh wood Major Josh Wood (pictured to the left) leads the Criminal Investigations Division. Contact him with any questions: Email: jwood@orangecountync.gov Phone: (919) 245-2927 Captain jeff ray Captain Jeff Ray manages day-to-day Criminal Investigations. Contact him with any questions: Email: jray@orangecountync.gov Phone: (919) 245-2975

Citizen's Academy at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Citizens' Academy Experience Your Sheriff's Office. Join Our Citizens' Academy! Get an Inside Look The Citizens' Academy offers Orange County residents a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective of modern law enforcement. This immersive program bridges the gap between our deputies and the community we serve. What You'll Learn Dive into the world of law enforcement through hands-on experiences and expert presentations, such as: Criminal law fundamentals Crime prevention strategies Community service initiatives Court system operations 911 Communications Center Emergency medical response Criminal investigations Daily operations of the Orange County Sheriff's Office Beyond the Badge While this program won't put you on patrol, it will give you insight into the challenges and decisions law enforcement officers face every day. You'll gain a deeper understanding of how we serve and protect Orange County, while building valuable connections with the deputies, detention officers, and staff who serve your community. Apply using the form by scrolling down this page! Questions about Citizens' Academy? Contact 1st Lieutenant Daniel Roberson: troberson@orangecountync.gov or (919) 245-2921. Will I only be sitting in a classroom listening to someone lecture me? Absolutely NOT! Sessions include “hands-on” activities where you will experience the agency first hand! I’ve had a speeding ticket. Will I be eligible to attend? Yes , minor traffic violations will not prohibit you from participating in the academy. However, background checks will be conducted on each applicant. Frequently Asked Questions Will there be a fee? No! There are no fees associated with the academy. It is 100% free! How many classes are there and where will they be held? There are 9 sessions held Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 9:00 PM and one Saturday session. Most sessions will be held at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters on E. Margaret Ln. Are there age restrictions? You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

cb7fcad9-3d82-4eba-8dbd-305e33783441 #70, Parallels of Courage with Special Olympics March 26, 2025 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Spearheaded by the long-time advocacy and hard work of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation and the Chicago Park District organized the first Special Olympics Summer Games for people with intellectual disabilities in July 1968. Approximately 1,000 athletes participated. Five million people now participate annually in competitions across the globe. In fact, three athletes from North Carolina returned earlier this month from the Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) is one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world, providing more than 40,000 athletes year-round opportunities to participate, train, and compete in more than two dozen sports. In May, the SONC will hold the Summer Games at venues in Cary, Holly Springs, and Raleigh, with over 1,300 competitors. Registered athletes participate in Special Olympics free of charge. They do not pay for uniforms, awards, facility usage, transportation, or training fees. Many fundraising efforts make participation possible, and I want to highlight the important contribution of law enforcement officers, starting with the well-known Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). The LETR began in 1981 when six police officers in Wichita, Kansas raised $300.00 carrying what is now known as the Flame of Hope. Three years later, the International Chiefs of Police endorsed Special Olympics as their official charity. Law enforcement officers from federal, state, county, local, tribal, and military agencies have since raised more than one billion dollars, all while increasing awareness of the capabilities and achievements of participants. I participated in the torch run three times earlier in my career. Today, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is nearly as synonymous with Special Olympics as cookie sales are with Girl Scouts. Locally, our torch run raises money primarily through T-shirt sales. Officials will announce the date for this year’s local event soon. I recently read an article by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Captain Ernest Bille, who attended the International LETR conference in November 2024. In it, he discussed the Special Olympic Athletes’ Oath which participants recite before every competition: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Within its simplicity, a law enforcement officer can find profound meaning and draw analogies between the principles of competition and the ideals and values of our profession. Captain Bille began by defining what winning means to a deputy or officer. We strive to return home safely after each shift while also behaving with integrity, serving with courage, treating others with professionalism, and protecting our communities. He then examined the “But if I cannot win…” portion of the oath, which hints at the challenges law enforcement professionals face. We encounter persistent societal issues. Routinely, we face the dark and grim realities of violence, mental illness, death, and addiction. As Captain Bille notes, “…we establish and hold the line – we don’t cross it,” no matter the level of frustration, the challenging actions of others, or our frequent inability to fix the entrenched problems of those who seek our help. Even when we cannot achieve our desired outcome, we can still “win” by behaving ethically. In the oath’s conclusion, “…let me be brave in the attempt,” we hear a plea for the strength to approach our duties with the same idealism that originally called us to service. Noble intentions can waver when battered by stress, emotional strain, and the risk of injury or death. I have written previously about the toll critical incidents take on deputies. Most people have two or three such exposures in a lifetime; law enforcement officers have 18 PER YEAR. We see a tremendous amount of trauma in our work. It takes courage to put oneself out there again and again without developing a jaded perspective or a calloused heart. Athletes with intellectual disabilities demonstrate optimism and perseverance despite numerous challenges. In our own way, law enforcement professionals do the same. Captain Bille seems to suggest these parallels explain why we are so passionate about fundraising for Special Olympians: we are inspired by their resiliency and salute their courage. In Orange County, we also participate in other Special Olympic fundraising efforts. In April, we have a seven-person team competing at RDU Airport in a Pull the Plane competition. Which agency’s team can move a 50,000-pound plane 25 feet in the shortest time? In October, we hold a golf tournament, and there are rumors about a polar plunge next winter. Please watch for these opportunities to support Special Olympians or go to sonc.net to donate. Thank you. ### Previous Next

6e7478d3-9d36-434d-8f08-1a5d0223d006 < Back PROPERTY OWNER CHARGED IN AFTERMATH OF LARGE PARTY May 9, 2025 Hillsborough, NC (May 9, 2025) – Working in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agents served warrants Wednesday on the owner of Smokehouse Valley Farm, an agritourism property in rural Orange County. Owner Dwight B. Poole, 60, faces six counts of aiding and abetting people under the age of 21 to consume alcohol at a large party held Friday night, May 2, at his event venue. More than 2,500 people attended the party off Mill Creek Road. According to Sheriff Charles Blackwood, “Attendees parked along both sides of the road, blocking the flow of traffic. They obstructed driveways, left automobiles in the yards of neighboring property owners, and intoxicated individuals wandered between vehicles snarled in traffic. Many partygoers were underage, and people drove away from the event despite being significantly under the influence of intoxicating substances. Others were so impaired they passed out along the roadway. Responding law enforcement officers and medical first responders had great difficulty reaching those in need of assistance. In my opinion, this gathering was of such a size and scope that the overall risk to attendees, community residents, and first responders was alarmingly high. I am grateful to ALE and the State Highway patrol for assisting us.” The magistrate ordered Poole to appear in court on May 29. Telecommunicators fielded approximately 75 calls for service related to the party within a six-hour period. This number represents more than 37% of all 911 calls in the county during that timeframe (including calls for Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro Police, EMS units, and the fire services). More than 25 officers from multiple agencies responded, and emergency medical personnel transported several people to area hospitals. “ALE’s primary mission is to reduce alcohol-related crime and its harmful impact on our communities," said Bryan House, Director of North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement. "We value our partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies as we work together toward that shared goal.” ### Previous Next 1/0

250abe32-bcbc-4f6b-8d04-5a47ac7fecd7 #76, Train Tracks are Dangerous Places September 24, 2025 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood In the United States, a train strikes a person or a vehicle every three hours. That’s approximately eight collisions a day – an astonishing figure. The bad news continues: North Carolina has the thirteenth highest number of rail trespass deaths in the country. September is Train Track Safety Month. You may have seen social media posts from Operation Lifesaver warning people to respect train tracks. Their annual campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train” raises awareness about rail safety. Train tracks are critical national infrastructure, and they are very dangerous places. It would be absurd to walk in the middle of a highway or airport runway, but people don’t seem to have the same healthy respect for the risks of railroads. Obviously, trains cannot swerve, and it can take them more than a mile to stop. By the time an engineer sees a vehicle or a person on the tracks, he or she can only apply the brakes, blow the horn, and watch in terror while waiting for the inevitable – a helpless, terrible feeling. Walking alongside the tracks is only marginally safer, as the rough, rocky ground can cause unexpected falls or twisted ankles. I hate to imagine stumbling onto the track and being unable to stand back up while a train thunders at me. Moreover, people who walk along rail lines often fail to realize that trains are wider than tracks; they typically have a significant overhang on each side. It may come as a surprise that railroad tracks and the surrounding right of way are not public thoroughfares. Tracks – even abandoned ones – are private property, and if a person is on them without permission, he or she is trespassing. People trespass for a variety of reasons. Some are simply using the tracks as the shortest distance between two points, and they do not understand the dangers. Other people, often social media users, select tracks as a background for photography. Cell phone cameras have been around for about two decades now. It is probably not coincidental that rail trespass deaths over that period increased 44% (from 498 fatalities in 2002 to 718 in 2023). Too many people seek the rugged aesthetic of wood, metal, and sky, but rail lines have nothing to do with graduations, engagements, album cover art, or holiday greeting cards. It seems that one would hear a train coming, but typically, the sound only arrives seconds before the machine itself. Modern trains glide on tracks with very little friction. The crushed rock under the tracks further dampens the noise. The sound waves radiate outward and behind the train more than they project forward. Especially in an environment with significant levels of ambient noise, such as nearby vehicle traffic or wind blowing through trees, a person in front of the train may not hear it until it is only seconds from impact. People almost never survive a direct hit, and if they do, they generally suffer catastrophic, life-changing injuries. The chance of survival is only slightly better when the train strikes someone from the side. If the train throws a person clear – rather than under the train, off a bridge, or into a solid object – he or she might live, but the odds are still terrible. It is surprisingly difficult to judge the speed of a moving train. One reason is that larger objects appear to be moving more slowly than smaller ones traveling at the same speed. Airplanes fly fast, yet when I watch one descend over the interstate into RDU airport, it appears to crawl through the sky. A second optical illusion compounds the difficulty of judging train speed. When humans view parallel lines stretching into the distance, our eyes perceive them as getting closer to each other until they meet at the horizon, even though our brains know tracks remain the same distance apart. This phenomenon causes the train to appear both farther away and slower than it is, a dangerous combination. Drivers should never attempt to race through a marked crossing before the arms come down. I’ve seen people get trapped between the barriers with disastrous consequences. Likewise, motorists should stop, look both ways, and proceed with extreme caution at junctures without physical barriers and flashing lights. Trains are not required to sound their horns at all crossings; therefore, silence does not mean safety. Except for passengers, employees, and those with explicit permission from the railroad, no one belongs on train tracks. Trains are fast, surprisingly quiet, and unable to stop quickly. A shortcut or a photograph is not worth the risk. Previous Next

40ed3117-3d9c-46f9-8fe7-e6f6df796c5e #51, Criminal Court Overview August 30, 2023 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Frequently, I read or hear comments indicating that people wish law enforcement officers would stop merely slapping criminals on the wrist, or go after the “real criminals,” as if it were acceptable to apply the law to those who break certain laws, but ignore those who commit other crimes. I believe such sentiments are an indication that the criminal justice system – of which law enforcement officers are only one part –is not fully understood. I’ll start my explanation with the most basic of principles: law enforcement officers must operate within the confines of the law. In other words, we must enforce the law as it is, not as we think it should be. The will of the people, and the needs of society, can change laws, and there is a slow, deliberate process that guides this evolution. If you don’t like a law, please work to change it through one of many options for constructive input. When law enforcement officers arrest someone for a crime, they must provide sworn testimony to a magistrate, attempting to establish that probable cause exists to believe the identified person committed the specified crime. Probable cause is more than just a reasonable suspicion. The deputy must identify specific facts and circumstances connecting the accused to the crime. However, probable cause is not absolute proof. Our system demands more than the belief of one person to convict someone of a crime. If the magistrate finds probable cause, he or she will process the arrest, set pre-trial conditions of release, and schedule an initial court date for the defendant. This moment represents a significant transition. Responsibility for the case passes from the law enforcement agency into the jurisdiction of the criminal court system, where the standard required for conviction is higher. The District Attorney (DA) is an elected representative of the people living in a judicial district. Also known as the prosecutor, the DA has the responsibility to seek justice in all cases. It is critical to understand “justice” does not mean punishing everyone who comes before the court. Rather, it means treating every one equally and attempting to find the morally correct, fair outcome. If there is adequate evidence supporting the criminal charge and law enforcement officers followed proper procedures, the DA will work to obtain a conviction. If the evidence is not strong enough, or if it was not properly obtained, it would be unethical to prosecute, and the DA must dismiss the case. Only a fraction of criminal cases ever proceed to a trial. Many cases are resolved by a plea bargain, a compromise between the prosecution and the defense, whereby each side feels the risks and rewards of proceeding to trial are appropriately balanced by the terms of the plea. The prosecutor might want a conviction on all charges but fear receiving a not-guilty verdict if the evidence is not compelling or unusually difficult to understand. The defense attorney might think it is in the best interests of the accused to accept conviction on lower-level charges rather than risk being found guilty of more serious crimes that carry longer incarceration times. Although the general public might take a dim view of plea bargains, the needs of a community are often well-served by such arrangements. If a judge approves, these proposals can guarantee conviction, specify a period of incarceration, and prevent the court system from becoming bogged down. Trials are VERY time-consuming and expensive. If every case went to trial, the backlog would be astronomical, costs would skyrocket, and both the victim and the defendant would spend years waiting for resolution. If a case goes to trial, a judge oversees the presentation of the case and ensures the prosecution and defense both follow the rules of evidence and due process. A judge is generally the trier of fact in District Court cases; a defendant in a Superior Court trail faces a jury of his or her peers. Both judge and jury must presume the defendant is innocent. They may only change that belief if the DA convinces them otherwise by proving every element of the crime(s) beyond a reasonable doubt. This standard requires that the DA present evidence and arguments to establish the defendant’s guilt so convincingly that any rational person would accept it as fact. As I hope I’ve made clear, the American criminal justice system is complex, and involves multiple professional disciplines. It works hard to hold guilty people accountable for their crimes while protecting innocent ones from wrongful conviction. It is not a perfect system, but I don’t know of a better one. Previous Next

cd5b5eaa-c638-41e3-a123-e9c14885ba7e #66, Shop with the Sheriff November 27, 2024 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Fun fact: Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and November 28 is the latest day upon which the holiday can fall. By the time the weekend is over, it will be December. Therefore, now is the perfect time to share one of my favorite holiday traditions – Shop with the Sheriff – which is December 6 this year. This annual event is a major undertaking at our office. It requires energy, dedication, and enthusiasm to pull off. We start by partnering with social workers at Orange County elementary schools. They identify approximately 25 children whose family’s circumstances make holiday celebrations particularly challenging. Most commonly, those factors are financial, but the selection process is not one-dimensional. The social workers also consider students for whom community support and a joyous morning might provide respite from other negative factors influencing their childhoods. Chief Deputy Tina Sykes puts her heart and soul into making Shop with the Sheriff a success. She will tell you that it is, by far, the most rewarding day of the year. I asked her why she loves it so much, and she said, “It’s the look on their faces when we pick them up. It is pure joy. Just for a little bit, it is all about them, and they can be distracted from whatever it is that makes their lives difficult.” Bus driver Kay McPherson sets the tone. As the students board the bus at each school, she tells them to pretend she is driving Santa’s sleigh. She points to the patrol cars and motorcycles waiting in front of the bus and compares them to reindeer clearing the path. The kids love watching the escort vehicles as they stop traffic to let the bus proceed unimpeded to the next stop, and eventually to Wal-Mart, which we refer to as the North Pole. Once they arrive, I climb on the bus to greet the kids and pump them up even more. I want them to know how excited we are to spend the next few hours with them. As each student steps off the bus, a detention officer, deputy, staff member, or volunteer greets them, armed with a list of that child’s clothing sizes and general interests. During the ensuing shopping experience, students can purchase whatever they want up to the spending limit. Some race around and select their items within 10 minutes. Others are more discerning. They proceed slowly, carefully considering costs and making deliberate choices. It never fails that at least one child will purchase presents for parents or siblings instead of buying gifts for him or herself. One year, a group of kids who recently arrived in North Carolina from a warmer climate only wanted to buy clothes and boots suitable for winter. And poignantly, some children ask if they can purchase groceries. As you might imagine, requests like the ones I am describing really yank our heartstrings. We shop in advance and purchase an outfit, jacket, gloves, and a hat for each participant. Additionally, generous businesses donate restaurant gift cards and practical items like toothbrushes and toothpaste. Most of the credit for sourcing these extra surprises goes to First Lieutenant Daniel Roberson who leads our Community Services Division. He builds relationships throughout the year and helps people understand how necessary widespread support is to the success of this initiative. The management team at Wal-Mart pulls out all the stops. The staff clearly enjoys the bedlam, extra cashiers work dedicated checkout lines for us, and we have permission to take over the employee breakroom for a pizza-party. While we celebrate with the kids, volunteers pack the gifts into Santa’s giant red gift bags for transportation back to the schools where parents pick them up. As we run around the store, other shoppers stop and stare, and no one seems annoyed by the chaos. Every year, some shoppers press cash into our hands or ask how they can donate. Fortunately, that process is easy. The Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Organization, a 501(c)(3) organization, accepts tax-deductible contributions throughout the year to sponsor such initiatives. They also host fundraisers like the spring Chicken Pickin’ and the Hog Day roasted corn sale. We are grateful for their support. We always get back more than we give as the children reward us with smiles, hugs, and silliness. If you need an hour or so of holiday cheer, come witness the fun at the Hampton Pointe Wal-Mart on December 6! If you can’t make it, get in the spirit by viewing photographs on our app and Facebook page. ### Previous Next