BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said while he is the face of the organization, the men and women who answer the calls, work at the detention center, and provide office support are the heart of the agency.
“My name just gets to be on the door,” he told employees at the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office’s annual banquet on Thursday night. “You are the heart of this organization.”
Campbell, who recognized a number of employees and others with awards, said that thanks to the efforts of all of the employees Iredell County has seen a 55 percent decrease in the overall crime rate over the past nine years.
He said 2024 has been a challenging year in which two Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) calls resulted in some 250 shots being fired and the team’s hostage negotiator, Capt. Julie Wyatt, being wounded when shrapnel struck her leg.
Deputies were also involved in efforts that led to lives being saved.
Iredell County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Melissa Neader said those incidents embody the day-to-day work of the Sheriff’s Office. “You are the heart of our county,” she said. “No two days are ever the same.”
ICSO personnel are responsible for making citizens of the county feel safe and protected, Neader added.
“I am so proud of every one of you,” she said.
ICSO Chief Deputy Bert Chairman, who is also chairman of the Board of Commissioners, said he appreciates the work the men and women of the agency do.
Awards
The following awards were presented by Campbell Thursday night at the Statesville Civic Center:
Civilian Commendation – Elizabeth Stills
Sheriff Campbell described Stills as a valued member of the Narcotics Division. “She consistently goes above and beyond to assist our employees and citizens without hesitation. Her diligent work ethic ensures she completes her tasks and that when a duty is assigned to her, it is done correctly and efficiently.”
Unit Commendation – SERT
Sheriff Campbell said this unit was picked for the award due to two incidents in which they were fired upon more than 250 times and for a couple of others that involved risk. Those incidents, he said, occurred in March and April.
The unit also was activated in August to assist in a high-risk search warrant at a location inside the City of Statesville where numerous felons were staying. The warrant was executed, and several people were arrested and illegal drugs were located — all without incident. In September, the team was called to assist in serving a search warrant and domestic violence protection order. During that incident an infant was taken from the residence and placed with the Iredell County Department of Social Services.
Detention Commendation – Anthony Tapp
Sheriff Campbell said Tapp demonstrates high ethical standards and maintains a professional attitude in his duties.
“Anthony has trained many new detention officers and instills them with a professional work ethic. Even after an on-the-job injury, Anthony mains a positive outlook on his duties as a detention officer,” Campbell said. “Anthony is always willing to go above and beyond his call of duty to do more than his share of the work.”
Life-saving Awards – Deputies Robert Ball, Jacob Greene and Hunter English
Sheriff Campbell said the award for Ball stemmed from a call to assist another agency on September 11. He said Ball responded to a call on Mocksville Highway regarding an elderly man who was unconscious and CPR was being given. Ball seamlessly joined into the CPR efforts and the patient eventually fully recovered.
“The patient lived through the efforts of Deputy Ball and other medical first responders,” Campbell said.
The award for Greene and English came as the result of a welfare check where a person was possibly indicating he may harm himself. Deputies were also told he had an active domestic violence protection order in place and he was in violation for being at the property. When they arrived, Greene and English briefly saw the man inside. After ordering him to come outside for several minutes with no results, they forcibly entered the house and found him hanging. After cutting him down, they began CPR, and the man was transported to an area hospital.
“The EMS supervisor on the scene said that the man was alive through the efforts of deputies Green and English,” Campbell said.
Sheriff’s Office Award of Distinction – Detective Shawn Rowe
On April 20, Rowe was among the deputies who responded to a call of a mentally ill man threatening fire department personnel with a knife. Deputies evacuated people from their homes and secured a perimeter as they were shot at, Sheriff Campbell said.
It was during this incident that Wyatt was struck by shrapnel. Rowe risked injury to move Wyatt to a safe location, Campbell said.
“Detective Rowe displayed extraordinary heroism in a perilous situation and aided Capt. Wyatt in getting medical aid for her injuries,” Campbell said.
Medal of Valor – Sgts. John Adams and Adrian Foster, Detective Charles Davidson and Deputy Daniel Redmond and SERT
During the same incident for which Rowe was recognized. Adams and Redmond arrived first and approached the front door of the home.
Sheriff Campbell said they heard an argument and someone inside say, “You are not supposed to have a gun.”
They took cover and a man walked out of the house. As the man stood in the doorway, he fired at Foster, Campbell said. Adams and Redmond fired back while Foster scrambled to safety. As the man retreated to the house and began to shoot a high-powered rifle at the deputies and surrounding residences, Foster and Davidson moved from house to house, evacuating people. Campbell said they did so at great risk to their lives. An elderly woman could not cross a fence to safety so Davidson picked her up and set her on the other side of the fence to await officers.
“Detective Davidson and Deputy Foster displayed extraordinary heroism in a hazardous situation. Their professionalism and quick actions saved residents in this area from serious injury or death,” Campbell said.
“No other unit of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office has been under fire from suspects this year than the SERT Team,” Campbell said.
The award was given to the team because of two incidents – one on Amity Hill Road and the other on Langtree Road (the same call for which the other Medal of Valor award was presented). “In both incidents, these deputies were actively targeted and shot at hundreds of times. These deputies conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and courage while performing their duty,” Campbell said.
The Bill Wood Award – Lt. Brandon Owens
This award is presented in remembrance of Wood, a detention officer and former telecommunicator at Iredell County Emergency Communications. Wood was killed in a motorcycle accident. His widow, Roxanne, helped present the award to Lt. Brandon Owens.
Sheriff Campbell said Owens was nominated by his peers because he has distinguished himself in the Detention Center, patrol and narcotics divisions and as a former SERT member. He is now a lieutenant with the School Resource Officer unit. Owens, Campbell said, received the award due to his professionalism and dedication to the sheriff’s office.
Purple Heart Award – Capt. Julie Wyatt
The award goes to a deputy, detention officer or civilian employee, who sustains a serious or incapacitating injury in the line of duty. Wyatt received the award for the shooting incident on Langtree Road on April 20. Wyatt, serving as a hostage negotiator, came under gunfire and was wounded from shrapnel from a shot that hit near her. She was setting up in a position to start negotiations with the suspect when she was hit.
“Capt. Wyatt received care from her co-workers and was transported to a local medical facility for treatment. Against the advice of medical staff, Capt. Wyatt returned to the incident location to continue assisting in any way she could. She is presented with this award for her distinguished service and for receiving an injury because of this duty,” Campbell said.
Campbell, who was in Wilmington when the April 20 call happened, said he instructed Wyatt not to go back to the scene. She stated her case and said she was going to go back.
“That’s Julie,” he said.
Service Award – Joe Nicks
Sheriff Campbell also honored a man, who while not a full-time employee, has dedicated more than 30 years of service. “This individual was here when I started at the sheriff’s office,” Campbell said. “I am proud to present you this award for 30 years of service.”
Joe Nicks has served as a reserve deputy – volunteering his service – for more than three decades, Campbell said. “He has been on a lot of calls,” he said.
Nicks said he was thrilled to receive this award. “This award is worth gold to me,” he said.
Telecommunicator of the Year – Brittney Armstrong
Sheriff Campbell also presented the Telecommunicator of the Year award to Brittney Armstrong from Iredell County ECOM. Campbell said that while she is not a sheriff’s office employee, Armstrong has demonstrated professionalism in her position as an emergency telecommunicator.
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