Born to Wilbur and Joy Thomas, Sheriff Chris Thomas is a resident of Richlands, NC, and was born in Jacksonville.

Sheriff Christopher D. Thomas | Onslow County, NC

Sheriff Thomas has been married to his wife, Katie, for 29 years. After graduating high school in 1983, Sheriff Thomas joined the United States Army.

Sheriff Thomas has over 5,000 hours of law enforcement training. He possesses an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Organization from Mount Olive College.

Chris Thomas was born in Jacksonville. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice and a bachelor's degree in business management and organization from Mount Olive College. He lives in Richlands and has been married to Katie for 29 years.

Sheriff Thomas is a law enforcement general instructor and specialized firearms instructor. He is also a graduate of the 192nd Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.

Sheriff Thomas was promoted to Colonel in 2019 and took over as Chief Deputy of the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office.

After retiring from the SBI, Sheriff Thomas knew he was not finished serving his community. He joined the Jacksonville Police Department and served as a Special Operations detective, conducting drug investigations for the citizens of Jacksonville.

While working as a special agent, Sheriff Thomas received the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Case of the Year Award and retired as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the Coastal District.

Sheriff Thomas spent sixteen years with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, obtaining the rank of Captain and Chief Deputy of the Pender County Sheriff’s Office. After leaving the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, he served as a deputy sheriff and operations deputy with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office for nearly two years.

He began his service working with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff in the jail. Sheriff Thomas spent sixteen years with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, obtaining the rank of Captain and Chief Deputy of the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Thomas has been married to his wife, Katie, for 29 years. After graduating high school in 1983, Sheriff Thomas joined the United States Army. He served his country with distinction. He was honorably discharged in 1986.

Chris is a law enforcement general instructor and specialized firearms instructor. He previously served as chief deputy of the Onslow County Sheriff's Office, a Special Operations detective with the Jacksonville Police Department, and assistant special agent in charge of the Coastal District for the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Earlier, he served as a deputy sheriff and operations deputy with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office and as a captain and chief deputy with the Pender County Sheriff's Office. He served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1986.

Sheriff Thomas was promoted to Colonel in 2019 and took over as Chief Deputy of the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office. He served as second-in-command of the largest law enforcement agency in the county until his election to Sheriff in 2022.

Chris currently serves as sheriff and was elected in 2022.

2026 North Carolina General Election

In his spare time, Sheriff Thomas enjoys outdoor sports, including hunting and fishing. He is an avid shooting enthusiast and a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment.

Expand Community & Data-Driven Policing

Increase deployment of Community-Oriented Policing deputies who live and work in neighborhoods, building trust and responsiveness.
 

Use crime analytics to anticipate patterns and allocate resources more effectively.

What's Next | Chris Thomas for Sheriff

Increase deployment of Community-Oriented Policing deputies who live and work in neighborhoods, building trust and responsiveness.
 

Use crime analytics to anticipate patterns and allocate resources more effectively.

Expand partnerships with local leaders, civic groups, and faith communities for collaborative strategies.

Use crime analytics to anticipate patterns and allocate resources more effectively.

Expand partnerships with local leaders, civic groups, and faith communities for collaborative strategies.

Modernize & Enhance Law Enforcement Capabilities

Modernize & Enhance Law Enforcement Capabilities

Advance accreditation to hold the Office to the highest professional standards.


Continue upgrading technology — body cameras, digital forensics, drone program, and vehicle systems.

Advance accreditation to hold the Office to the highest professional standards.


Continue upgrading technology — body cameras, digital forensics, drone program, and vehicle systems.


Bolster the ICAC / cybercrime task force, with tools like Magnet, GrayKey, and digital investigation support.

Strengthen Victim Services Specialist operations for timely support, advocacy, and resources.


Expand Project Lifesaver and similar initiatives for vulnerable populations.

Increase visibility of the Sheriff’s App, public safety alerts, and communication channels.

Expand Project Lifesaver and similar initiatives for vulnerable populations.

Increase visibility of the Sheriff’s App, public safety alerts, and communication channels.

Fiscal Responsibility & Funding Growth

Fiscal Responsibility & Funding Growth

Actively pursue grants, federal and state funding to reduce burdens on taxpayers.


Continue the Equipment Replacement Plan to avoid unexpected breakdowns or gaps.

Actively pursue grants, federal and state funding to reduce burdens on taxpayers.


Continue the Equipment Replacement Plan to avoid unexpected breakdowns or gaps.


Build the OCSO Foundation to accept community investments in training, gear, and support.

Continue the Equipment Replacement Plan to avoid unexpected breakdowns or gaps.


Build the OCSO Foundation to accept community investments in training, gear, and support.

PAID FOR BY CHRIS THOMAS FOR SHERIFF

Plans to increase deployment of community-oriented policing deputies who live and work in neighborhoods.

Plans to use crime data to anticipate patterns and allocate law-enforcement resources.

Plans to expand partnerships with local leaders, civic groups, and faith communities on public-safety strategies.

Plans to pursue accreditation for the sheriff's office to meet professional standards.

Plans to continue upgrading body cameras, digital forensics, drone programs, and vehicle systems.

Plans to expand Project Lifesaver and similar initiatives for vulnerable populations.

Plans to increase awareness of the sheriff's app, public-safety alerts, and communication channels.

Plans to pursue federal, state, and grant funding to reduce taxpayer burdens.

Plans to continue the equipment-replacement plan to avoid unexpected breakdowns or gaps.

Plans to build the Onslow County Sheriff's Office Foundation to accept community investments in training, equipment, and support.

- Opposes firearm regulations.
- Plans to increase deployment of community-oriented policing deputies who live and work in neighborhoods.
- Plans to use crime data to anticipate patterns and allocate law-enforcement resources.
- Plans to expand partnerships with local leaders, civic groups, and faith communities on public-safety strategies.
- Plans to pursue accreditation for the sheriff's office to meet professional standards.
- Plans to continue upgrading body cameras, digital forensics, drone programs, and vehicle systems.
- Plans to expand Project Lifesaver and similar initiatives for vulnerable populations.
- Plans to increase awareness of the sheriff's app, public-safety alerts, and communication channels.
- Plans to pursue federal, state, and grant funding to reduce taxpayer burdens.
- Plans to continue the equipment-replacement plan to avoid unexpected breakdowns or gaps.
- Plans to build the Onslow County Sheriff's Office Foundation to accept community investments in training, equipment, and support.

Public Safety

As of April 6, 2026, Chris Thomas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jail Management

Continue upgrading technology — body cameras, digital forensics, drone program, and vehicle systems.


Bolster the ICAC / cybercrime task force, with tools like Magnet, GrayKey, and digital investigation support.

Drive Public Safety, Prevention & Victim Services

Drive Public Safety, Prevention & Victim Services

Strengthen Victim Services Specialist operations for timely support, advocacy, and resources.


Expand Project Lifesaver and similar initiatives for vulnerable populations.

Plans to bolster the Internet Crimes Against Children and cybercrime task force with digital investigation tools and support.

Plans to strengthen victim-services operations to provide timely support, advocacy, and resources.

- Plans to bolster the Internet Crimes Against Children and cybercrime task force with digital investigation tools and support.
- Plans to strengthen victim-services operations to provide timely support, advocacy, and resources.

Criminal Justice

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Chris Thomas

- Plans to increase deployment of community-oriented policing deputies who live and work in neighborhoods.
- Plans to use crime data to anticipate patterns and allocate law-enforcement resources.
- Plans to expand partnerships with local leaders, civic groups, and faith communities on public-safety strategies.
- Plans to pursue accreditation for the sheriff's office to meet professional standards.
- Plans to continue upgrading body cameras, digital forensics, drone programs, and vehicle systems.
- Plans to expand Project Lifesaver and similar initiatives for vulnerable populations.
- Plans to increase awareness of the sheriff's app, public-safety alerts, and communication channels.
- Plans to pursue federal, state, and grant funding to reduce taxpayer burdens.
- Plans to continue the equipment-replacement plan to avoid unexpected breakdowns or gaps.
- Plans to build the Onslow County Sheriff's Office Foundation to accept community investments in training, equipment, and support.

- Plans to strengthen victim-services operations to provide timely support, advocacy, and resources.

Chris Thomas is from Jacksonville, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice and a bachelor's degree in business management and organization from the University of Mount Olive. He is married to his wife, Katie.

Chris is the sheriff of Onslow County. He previously served as the chief deputy of the Onslow County Sheriff's Office, where he supervised the Investigations Division. Before joining the Onslow County Sheriff's Office, he worked as a special agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, where he specialized in drug enforcement. He also served as a special operations detective with the Jacksonville Police Department, conducting drug investigations. Earlier in his career, he worked as a deputy sheriff with the Pender County Sheriff's Office and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.

Onslow Sheriff Republican primary: Chris Thomas wins - JDNews.com

Chris is currently the sheriff of Onslow County. He was elected in 2022 and is currently serving his first term. Before his election as sheriff, Chris served as chief deputy of the Onslow County Sheriff's Office.

Supports increasing the number of community-oriented policing deputies who live and work in local neighborhoods.

Supports using crime analytics to anticipate patterns and allocate resources more effectively.

Wants to expand partnerships with local leaders, civic groups, and faith communities to enhance public safety.

Supports strengthening operations for victim services specialists to provide timely support, advocacy, and resources.

Wants to expand Project Lifesaver, which helps locate individuals with cognitive disorders who may wander off.

Wants to enhance visibility of the Sheriff's App, public safety alerts, and communication channels.

Chris Thomas is from Jacksonville, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice and a bachelor's degree in business management and organization from Mount Olive College. He is married to his wife, Katie.

Chris is the sheriff of Onslow County. He previously served as chief deputy of the Onslow County Sheriff's Office, a special agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and a special operations detective with the Jacksonville Police Department. Before joining law enforcement, he served in the United States Army.

Chris is currently the sheriff of Onslow County. He was elected in 2022 and is currently serving his first term. Before his election as sheriff, Chris served as the chief deputy of the Onslow County Sheriff's Office. He also worked as a special agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and served in various roles with the Pender County and New Hanover County sheriff's offices.

Supports increasing the number of community-oriented policing deputies who live and work in neighborhoods to build trust and responsiveness.

Supports upgrading jail technology, including body cameras, digital forensics, drones, and vehicle systems.

Supports strengthening the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and cybercrime task force by providing advanced digital investigation tools such as Magnet and GrayKey.

Wants to expand Project Lifesaver, a program that helps locate individuals with cognitive disorders who may wander off.

Supports strengthening victim services specialist operations for timely support, advocacy, and resources.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- 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. 