Craven County Board of Commissioners minutes state: “Chairman Liner read for the record the other names from the Craven County Sheriff’s Office to be recognized: Investigative Sergeant Michael Sawyer, Investigator Josh Dowdy, Investigator David Moore, Investigator Stevan Liszewski, Investigator Brad Jenkins, Investigator Rebecca Hopper and Lt. Mickey Tillman.”

Craven County Board of Commissioners Regular Session Minutes - Monday February 4, 2019

Mickey Tillman was a lieutenant with the Craven County Sheriff's Office.

2026 North Carolina General Election

In response to a question about addressing violent and property crime, Tillman wrote: “My approach focuses on ensuring timely and effective responses to all reports of crime. Investigations would be organized so that both minor and major cases get the attention they need, and no one feels overlooked. Deputies would be strategically deployed throughout the county, including areas that historically received less coverage, while still supporting locations with established law enforcement presence.”

Meet Mickey Tillman Democrat Candidate for Craven County Sheriff

In his discussion of property crime, Tillman wrote: “Many property crimes occur in patterns. When citizens and deputies work together, these patterns become easier to identify and address. Communication, visible patrols, targeted enforcement, and community awareness are all key to reducing these offenses.”

In response to a question about partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Tillman wrote: “As sheriff of Craven County, my focus will be on enforcing local laws fairly and protecting every resident. County law enforcement will never engage in racial profiling or target individuals based on immigration status. ICE is a federal agency, and local cooperation will occur only when required by law.”

Plans to organize investigations for timely responses to both minor and major crime reports.

Prioritizes communication, visible patrols, targeted enforcement, and public awareness to reduce property crime.

Pledges not to use racial profiling or target people based on immigration status, and to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement only as legally required.

- Plans to organize investigations for timely responses to both minor and major crime reports.
- Prioritizes communication, visible patrols, targeted enforcement, and public awareness to reduce property crime.
- Pledges not to use racial profiling or target people based on immigration status, and to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement only as legally required.

Public Safety

As of August 3, 2026, Mickey Tillman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jail Management

Discussing people experiencing mental-health crises, addiction, or hardship that may lead to criminal behavior, Tillman wrote: “I want them to feel comfortable bringing those concerns forward. By working with crisis intervention teams, mental health professionals, and community support services, we can intervene early and potentially prevent crimes before they happen.”

In his response on illegal drugs, Tillman distinguished street-level possession and distribution from larger trafficking operations, then wrote: “Enforcement matters. Deputies must have the support and training to pursue drug offenders effectively and consistently. But enforcement alone will not solve the problem.”

Plans to work with crisis intervention teams, mental health professionals, and community services to prevent crime.

Supports training and support for deputies to pursue drug offenders, while saying enforcement alone will not solve the problem.

- Plans to work with crisis intervention teams, mental health professionals, and community services to prevent crime.
- Supports training and support for deputies to pursue drug offenders, while saying enforcement alone will not solve the problem.

Criminal Justice

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Mickey Tillman

From 2019 to 2022, I continued serving Craven County as a Reserve Deputy with the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, while also serving as the Continuing Education and Workforce Development Law Enforcement Training Coordinator at Craven Community College. In that role, I worked to train and prepare the next generation of law enforcement officers, reinforcing professional standards and modern policing practices. Since 2022, I have served as a sworn reservist with the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office.

Over the course of my career, I have served as a Deputy Sheriff, Certified Detention Officer, and Zone Deputy assigned to the Vanceboro community. I later advanced into supervisory and investigative roles, including Patrol Sergeant, Criminal Investigator in the Crime Lab, Investigative Sergeant serving as Crime Lab Supervisor and Narcotics Supervisor, Investigative Lieutenant over Narcotics, and Patrol Lieutenant where I served as a shift supervisor responsible for overseeing deputies, operations, and public safety response.

Mickey currently serves as a sworn reservist with the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office. He previously worked as the Continuing Education and Workforce Development Law Enforcement Training Coordinator at Craven Community College and served with the Craven County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff, certified detention officer, zone deputy, patrol sergeant, criminal investigator, investigative sergeant, investigative lieutenant, and patrol lieutenant.

I've always believed that one person can make a difference. Throughout my career, I've tried to make a difference in the lives of the people I served, whether that was answering a call for help, supporting the deputies I worked alongside, or working to bring answers and closure to victims and their families. I'm running for Sheriff because I care about this community and the future of Craven County. I want to continue making a difference in a way that matters.

Tillman for Sheriff

Mickey is running for sheriff of Craven County.

My approach focuses on ensuring timely and effective responses to all reports of crime. Investigations would be organized so that both minor and major cases get the attention they need, and no one feels overlooked. Deputies would be strategically deployed throughout the county, including areas that historically received less coverage, while still supporting locations with established law enforcement presence. This ensures citizens can rely on a responsive Sheriff’s Office no matter where they live.

Violent crime ranges from threats and assaults to the most serious offenses, including homicide. These situations are often unpredictable, and underlying issues like substance abuse, mental health struggles, or economic stressors often play a role. Law enforcement cannot handle these challenges alone. As Sheriff, I would prioritize stronger community partnerships. I plan to hold monthly meetings in different areas of the county so residents have a direct line of communication with the Sheriff’s Office.

Property crime requires similar community involvement. Many property crimes occur in patterns. When citizens and deputies work together, these patterns become easier to identify and address. Communication, visible patrols, targeted enforcement, and community awareness are all key to reducing these offenses.

As sheriff of Craven County, my focus will be on enforcing local laws fairly and protecting every resident. County law enforcement will never engage in racial profiling or target individuals based on immigration status. ICE is a federal agency, and local cooperation will occur only when required by law. My priority is ensuring that all residents are treated with dignity, fairness, and due process while keeping our community safe.

To promote clarity and accountability, I plan to implement a body-worn camera system. This ensures there is an objective record of interactions, providing clear and irrefutable explanations for and against the officers involved. It protects both the public and the deputies, and helps resolve complaints based on facts rather than perception.

If elected, my focus will be on ensuring compliance checks are conducted regularly, thoroughly, and with clear oversight. Maintaining a registry alone is not enough. The responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office is to verify that offenders are following the law, not simply assume compliance.

Not all offenders present the same level of risk, and compliance efforts should reflect that reality. Higher risk offenders and those with a history of violations require closer monitoring. Repeat noncompliance must be addressed quickly and decisively.

Training must also be real and practical. Deputies need to be prepared for the situations they are most likely to face, including domestic disputes, mental health crises, high-risk traffic stops, use-of-force decisions, and defensive tactics. Hands-on, scenario-based training builds confidence, sharpens judgment, and keeps both deputies and the public safer.

During natural disasters or emergencies, the Sheriff’s Office plays a critical role in keeping the community safe. My vision is for the Sheriff’s Office to work closely with subject matter experts, including Emergency Management, Fire Departments, and Rescue Personnel, to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

I also believe in maintaining an open-door policy. Any citizen will have the opportunity to come in, speak with me personally, and file their grievances. Every complaint will be reviewed thoroughly, and if it is found to have merit, disciplinary actions will be fair, consistent, and never selective.

I am fully committed to supporting school safety programs. Having school resource officers in our schools is essential, and the officers who teach programs such as DARE play a vital role in educating students on making safe and responsible choices. These programs not only help prevent substance abuse and other risky behaviors but also create lasting relationships between students and law enforcement, fostering trust and guidance from an early age.

Trust is essential. Every school should have a qualified officer present, and when an officer is temporarily unavailable, there should be a clear system in place to ensure the role is covered, ideally by command staff or other experienced personnel. Parents, students, and school staff deserve accurate information and reassurance from the Sheriff’s Office regarding school safety.

Plans to strategically deploy deputies throughout the county, including areas with historically less coverage.

Plans to hold monthly community meetings across the county so residents can communicate directly with the Sheriff’s Office.

Supports communication, visible patrols, targeted enforcement, and community awareness to reduce property crime.

Plans to prohibit racial profiling and immigration-status targeting, and to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement only when legally required.

Plans to implement body-worn cameras to create an objective record of deputy interactions and help resolve complaints.

Plans regular, closely overseen compliance checks and quicker responses to repeated noncompliance by higher-risk offenders.

Supports practical, scenario-based deputy training for domestic disputes, mental health crises, traffic stops, use-of-force decisions, and defensive tactics.

Plans coordinated emergency responses with emergency management, fire departments, and rescue personnel.

Plans an open-door complaint process with thorough review and fair, consistent discipline for substantiated complaints.

Supports school safety programs and qualified school resource officers at every school, with coverage when an officer is unavailable.

- Plans to strategically deploy deputies throughout the county, including areas with historically less coverage.
- Plans to hold monthly community meetings across the county so residents can communicate directly with the Sheriff’s Office.
- Supports communication, visible patrols, targeted enforcement, and community awareness to reduce property crime.
- Plans to prohibit racial profiling and immigration-status targeting, and to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement only when legally required.
- Plans to implement body-worn cameras to create an objective record of deputy interactions and help resolve complaints.
- Plans regular, closely overseen compliance checks and quicker responses to repeated noncompliance by higher-risk offenders.
- Supports practical, scenario-based deputy training for domestic disputes, mental health crises, traffic stops, use-of-force decisions, and defensive tactics.
- Plans coordinated emergency responses with emergency management, fire departments, and rescue personnel.
- Plans an open-door complaint process with thorough review and fair, consistent discipline for substantiated complaints.
- Supports school safety programs and qualified school resource officers at every school, with coverage when an officer is unavailable.

I want to see cold cases receive the attention they deserve. I want deputies to have the training, experience, and support they need to do their jobs with confidence. I want a jail that is safe for the employees who work there and the people housed inside. I also want a Sheriff's Office that earns the respect of the community through its actions every day.

Plans to evaluate and strengthen jail programs focused on accountability, rehabilitation, and long-term change.

Wants a jail that is safe for employees and people in custody.

- Wants a jail that is safe for employees and people in custody.

My approach focuses on ensuring timely and effective responses to all reports of crime. Investigations would be organized so that both minor and major cases get the attention they need, and no one feels overlooked. Deputies would be strategically deployed throughout the county, including areas that historically received less coverage, while still supporting locations with established law enforcement presence.

If community members notice someone experiencing a mental health crisis, struggling with addiction, or facing hardship that may lead to criminal behavior, I want them to feel comfortable bringing those concerns forward. By working with crisis intervention teams, mental health professionals, and community support services, we can intervene early and potentially prevent crimes before they happen.

Enforcement matters. Deputies must have the support and training to pursue drug offenders effectively and consistently. But enforcement alone will not solve the problem. Many individuals struggling with addiction are caught in a cycle driven by deeper issues such as mental health challenges, trauma, or lack of resources.

Many individuals struggling with addiction are caught in a cycle driven by deeper issues such as mental health challenges, trauma, or lack of resources. If we ignore that reality, we will continue to see the same people cycle through the system. I believe in working alongside mental health professionals, crisis intervention resources, and treatment providers to create pathways that help individuals address the root causes of substance abuse.

I want to continue making a difference in a way that matters. I want to see cold cases receive the attention they deserve. I want deputies to have the training, experience, and support they need to do their jobs with confidence. I want a jail that is safe for the employees who work there and the people housed inside.

Plans to organize investigations so minor and major crime reports receive timely attention.

Advocates working with crisis intervention teams, mental health professionals, and community services to intervene before crimes occur.

Supports training and resources for deputies to enforce drug laws effectively and consistently.

Advocates partnering with mental health, crisis intervention, and treatment providers to address the underlying causes of substance abuse.

Wants cold cases to receive more attention.

- Plans to organize investigations so minor and major crime reports receive timely attention.
- Advocates working with crisis intervention teams, mental health professionals, and community services to intervene before crimes occur.
- Supports training and resources for deputies to enforce drug laws effectively and consistently.
- Advocates partnering with mental health, crisis intervention, and treatment providers to address the underlying causes of substance abuse.
- Wants cold cases to receive more attention.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Calvin Williams

- The sheriff is responsible for enforcing the law, managing security in jails and courtrooms. They also oversee daily conditions of the jail and inmates in custody and serve legal documents such as warrants and eviction notices. Their ultimate responsibility is to protect the community. 

Responsible for enforcing the law and overseeing jails. 