N.C. Sheriff’s Association recognizes Sen. Sawyer for work on public safety issues

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

Special to Iredell Free News

RALEIGH — The N.C. Sheriffs’ Association recently presented Sen. Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell, Mecklenburg) with the Defender of Public Safety Award in recognition of the work she did during the 2023 legislative session to protect public safety in North Carolina.

Sen. Vickie Sawyer

“I’m honored to receive this award in recognition of our work to support the office of the sheriff and law enforcement at large,” said Sawyer. “I look forward to continued collaboration with the Sheriffs’ Association as we seek to enhance public safety and protect the rights of citizens in our great state.”

Senator Sawyer’s legislative district is served by Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden.

“Senator Sawyer has been a valuable partner in the recent legislative session, supporting the legislative priorities of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, which is a voice for all 100 sheriffs in the State,” said Campbell, who also serves as president of the association. “As a result, our sheriffs have new tools we can use to protect our communities such as new laws intended to protect our electric power grid, stop dangerous street takeovers by motor vehicle gangs and some which will allow us to better address the growing fentanyl crisis many of us see in our communities.

“We are better equipped today than we were yesterday to protect the lives, liberties, and property of North Carolina’s citizens,” he added.

During the 2023 legislative session, the N.C. General Assembly considered hundreds of bills and enacted dozens of laws that had a direct impact on law enforcement and public safety in North Carolina. The 2024 session is expected to begin in April and will likely see many additional law enforcement and public safety related bills.

The NC Sheriffs’ Association has been serving the sheriffs and citizens of North Carolina since 1922, working to protect, promote, preserve, and enhance the Office of Sheriff in North Carolina through education, training, and legislative initiatives that increase public safety and protect the rights of the citizens of North Carolina.