2026 North Carolina General Election

SHERIFF MARK B. GULLEDGE

Mark Gulledge is the son of Ron and Cindy Gulledge of Rockingham, NC. He is married and the father of one daughter.

Sheriff Mark B. Gulledge | Richmond County Sheriff's Office

Church Affiliation


Member of First Baptist Church of Hamlet, North Carolina

Mark B. Gulledge is married and has one daughter. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Hamlet, North Carolina.

Richmond County Sheriff's Office

In 1995, at the age of 17, Mark began his public service career as a junior fireman with the Hamlet Fire Department. He pursued his EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification while still in high school and began working full-time as a Fire Fighter/EMT with the Hamlet Fire Department in 1998.

Although he had a passion for providing services to the community through the fire department, his ultimate dream was to become a Deputy Sheriff.

In June of 1999, that dream came true when he was hired as a detention officer with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. In June of 2000, Mark was promoted to a Deputy Sheriff in the patrol division.

During his thirty-year law enforcement career, Mark has served in a variety of capacities within the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

He has served in the Richmond County Jail as a detention officer/supervisor, patrol division as a patrol deputy, dayshift and night-shift patrol supervisor, Chief Deputy Sheriff, which consisted of managing the day-to-day operations and budget for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center for ten years until the untimely death of Sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr. in August of 2021.

Mark previously worked as a chief deputy sheriff, patrol supervisor, patrol deputy, detention officer and supervisor with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and as a firefighter/emergency medical technician with the Hamlet Fire Department.

In August of 2021, Mark B. Gulledge was named the Sheriff of Richmond County.

He was then elected as Sheriff in November 2022.

All four incumbents on the Richmond County Board of Education: Bobbie Sue Ormsby, Cory Satterfield, Scotty Baldwin and Daryl Mason — have filed for reelection and face no challengers.

The sheriff’s race currently features Sheriff Mark B. Gulledge and challenger Tahid “Ty” Rucker, a former deputy.

Richmond County candidates begin filing for 2026 election

Mark currently serves as sheriff of Richmond County. He was named sheriff in August 2021 and elected to the office in November 2022.

Sheriff Gulledge sworn in during private ceremony

Welcome to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office webpage. I, Sheriff Mark B. Gulledge, hope you enjoy your visit, and I welcome the opportunity to share with you information about our outstanding law enforcement agency. Our mission at the Sheriff's Office is to improve the quality of life in our county by reducing fear, preventing crime and enforcing the law while protecting each individual's freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

About Us | Richmond County Sheriff's Office

Our web site gives yet another means of staying in touch with the citizens of Richmond County and its visitors. I have provided a place for you to send e-mail to me with your suggestions and comments about the Sheriff's Office and these pages.

With courage, honor, and integrity we protect the rights and dignity of all citizens. In partnership with our communities, we strive to preserve the peace and provide for a safe environment for all.

Mark B. Gulledge, Sheriff

Prioritizes crime prevention and law enforcement while protecting constitutional freedoms and partnering with communities to preserve peace.

- Prioritizes crime prevention and law enforcement while protecting constitutional freedoms and partnering with communities to preserve peace.

Public Safety

As of April 6, 2026, Mark B. Gulledge did not have a website or any information online.

Jail Management

“Serving as Sheriff includes leading a team of dedicated men and women that oftentimes put the citizens of Richmond County before themselves,” Gulledge said. “The sheriff's office is not about partisan politics, we do not assist or respond to a call for service depending on an individual's political affiliation. Therefore, my party affiliation will not have any (effect) on the work the Richmond County Sheriff's Office does to make Richmond County a safe and better place to live, for everyone. It will remain an Office of the people. My door is always open to ALL.”

Richmond County Sheriff Mark Gulledge switches party affiliation to Republican

Says the sheriff's office will respond to calls regardless of an individual's political affiliation.

- Says the sheriff's office will respond to calls regardless of an individual's political affiliation.

Criminal Justice

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Mark B. Gulledge

As of April 6, 2026, Mark B. Gulledge’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mark B. Gulledge is married and has one daughter.

Mark B. Gulledge previously served as a detention officer and supervisor in the Richmond County Jail, a patrol deputy and day- and night-shift patrol supervisor in the patrol division, and chief deputy sheriff with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Mark was named Sheriff of Richmond County in August 2021 and was elected sheriff in November 2022.

Mark Gulledge is from Rockingham, North Carolina. He is married to his wife, Felicia, and they have a daughter. He attends First Baptist Church of Hamlet, North Carolina.

Mark is the sheriff of Richmond County. He previously worked as a detention officer, deputy sheriff, and chief deputy sheriff with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. Before joining the sheriff's office, he worked as a firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) with the Hamlet Fire Department. 

Mark is currently the sheriff of Richmond County. He was appointed to the position in August 2021 and then elected in November 2022. Before becoming sheriff, Mark served as the chief deputy of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

Mark Gulledge is from Rockingham, North Carolina. He is married to his wife, Felicia, and they have a daughter. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Hamlet, North Carolina.

Mark is a law enforcement officer with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. He previously worked as a firefighter with the Hamlet Fire Department.

Mark is currently the sheriff of Richmond County. He was appointed sheriff in August 2021 and then elected in November 2022.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Where I came from, Who I am, and Where I am going...

My name is Tahid Rucker, a native of Richmond County, NC. I graduated from Richmond Senior High School in May 2000 at the age of 18.

About Tahid "Ty" Rucker

Tahid (Ty) Rucker is originally from Richmond County, North Carolina. He graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 2000.

My name is Tahid Rucker, a native of Richmond County, NC. I graduated from Richmond Senior High School in May 2000 at the age of 18. From June 1999 to August 2004 I worked at Food Lion providing exceptional customer service to those in the community. My entire life I always wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement & at the age of 22 my career in law enforcement began.

My entire life I always wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement & at the age of 22 my career in law enforcement began.

In August 2004, I was hired as a Jailor for Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. In June of 2008, I was promoted to Deputy where I served warrants & civil papers.

In June of 2008, I was promoted to Deputy where I served warrants & civil papers. In January 2010, I was promoted to Detective in the Vice Narcotics Unit, investigating calls pertaining to narcotics, operated audio & video equipment needed to effectuate controlled buys, executed search warrants & participated in community service events. Following this promotion, in March 2015 I was then promoted to Detective Sergeant in the Vice Narcotics Unit.

Following this promotion, in March 2015 I was then promoted to Detective Sergeant in the Vice Narcotics Unit.

While serving as Detective Sergeant in the Vice Narcotics Unit my leadership skills were vital. I supervised 3-4 detectives in the unit, proofread reports, coordinated with various task force & agencies in North Carolina to execute search warrants & coordinated and facilitated community outreach programs. In September 2021, I transitioned to Assistant Jail Administrator.

In September 2021, I transitioned to Assistant Jail Administrator. This job required me to oversee the daily administration of the Richmond County Jail including but not limited to: managing 10-15 jail staff, processing inmates, hourly checks of the inmates, feeding and transporting inmates to court & medical appointments & organizing & facilitating outreach programs with the middle & high schools in the county. In September 2024 I transitioned to Scotland County to serve.

Following my transition to Scotland County, I became a Scotland County School Resource Officer In February of 2024, enhancing safety & building positive relationships with students & staff. In September 2024 I became Jail Administrator of the Scotland County Jail as Captain over the jail and courthouse security overseeing personnel, jail staff & inmates.

Over my twenty-one years in law enforcement, I have served in many capacities & gained knowledge & skills.

Scotland County Jail
212 Biggs Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352
Mail To: PO Box 607, Laurinburg, NC 28353
Phone (910) 277-3166
Fax (910) 277-3121
Rated Capacity: 109
Sheriff
Ralph Kersey
Jail Administrator
Tahid Rucker
Phone (910) 277-3385 ex 6
Email trucker@scotlandcounty.org
Assistant Jail Administrator
Sarah Hunt

North Carolina Detention Facility Directory And Resource Guide 2026 (North Carolina Jail Administrators’ Association)

Tahid currently works as jail administrator of the Scotland County Jail and as a captain overseeing jail and courthouse security. He previously worked at Food Lion and for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office as a jailor, deputy, detective, detective sergeant, and assistant jail administrator.

Community safety

Ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents through proactive policing and community partnerships.

Transparency

Promoting open communication and accountability within the Sheriff's office.

Elect Rucker for Sheriff of Richmond County NC

Community partnership

Working hand-in-hand with community organizations to address local challenges.

Voices for rucker

Key priorities

Rucker is committed to addressing the critical issues facing Richmond County, including crime prevention, community safety, fight the Fentanyl/Opioid Crisis, Yourh on Yourh Crime to include gang activities in school, but most importantly transparency and accountability within law enforcement.

Community safety

Ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents through proactive policing and community partnerships.

Plans to promote community safety through proactive policing and partnerships with community organizations.

Prioritizes crime prevention, response to the fentanyl and opioid crisis, youth crime and school gang activity, and law-enforcement accountability.

- Plans to promote community safety through proactive policing and partnerships with community organizations.
- Prioritizes crime prevention, response to the fentanyl and opioid crisis, youth crime and school gang activity, and law-enforcement accountability.

As of April 6, 2026, Tahid (Ty) Rucker’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Tahid (Ty) Rucker

Tahid Rucker is from Richmond County, North Carolina. He graduated from Richmond Senior High School.

Tahid is the jail administrator for Scotland County Jail. He previously served as a school resource officer for Scotland County Schools. Before that, he worked for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for 17 years, where he started as a jailer. He later served as a deputy, detective, and detective sergeant. He also worked at Food Lion for five years while in high school and college.

Tahid previously served as a deputy and detective with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. He left the office in 2024 to work as a school resource officer in Scotland County.

Tahid Rucker is from Richmond County, North Carolina. He graduated from Richmond Senior High School. He has over 21 years of experience in law enforcement.

Tahid is a jail administrator for Scotland County Jail. He previously served as a school resource officer for Scotland County Schools. Before that, he worked for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for 17 years, where he held various positions, including detective sergeant in the vice narcotics unit, detective, deputy, and jailor. He also worked at Food Lion for five years.

Tahid previously served as a deputy sheriff with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. He was hired in 2004 and served in various roles, including as a detective and assistant jail administrator. He left the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in 2024 and worked as a school resource officer in Scotland County before becoming the jail administrator for Scotland County.

Tahid (Ty) Rucker is from Richmond County, North Carolina. He graduated from Richmond Senior High School. He has over 21 years of experience in law enforcement.

Tahid is the jail administrator of the Scotland County Jail. He previously served as a school resource officer for Scotland County Schools. Before that, he worked as an assistant jail administrator, detective sergeant, and detective for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. He also worked at Food Lion from 1999 to 2004.

Tahid previously served as a deputy sheriff with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. He is currently the jail administrator for the Scotland County Jail.

Tahid is the jail administrator for Scotland County Jail. He previously worked as a school resource officer in Scotland County. Before joining Scotland County, he served as an assistant jail administrator, detective sergeant, and detective for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. He started his law enforcement career as a jailor for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. Before working in law enforcement, he worked at Food Lion for five years.

Tahid began his career in law enforcement in 2004 and has served in various roles, including jailor, deputy, detective, and detective sergeant.

- 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. 

Richmond Sheriff

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Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice