Family Values, Community Focus
As a father of two—and with a son who proudly serves as a police officer—Mike understands the importance of protecting families, building trust, and leading with integrity. He believes law enforcement works best when it is professional, accountable, and connected to the community.

Why Mike

Mike Patterson is a father of two, including a son who serves as a police officer.

Meet your Washington County Candidates for the 2026 Election

Experience You Can Trust
With more than 29 years in law enforcement, Mike has served at every level—from patrol to supervision to investigations. He has worked for the Plymouth Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Edenton Police Department, giving him a deep, firsthand understanding of how law enforcement works across jurisdictions and communities.

Mike Patterson has more than 29 years of law enforcement experience and has worked for the Plymouth Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Edenton Police Department.

Mike is a first-time candidate for political office.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Proactive Policing, Not Reactive Policing

Mike believes the Sheriff’s Office must move from a reactive approach to a proactive one. That starts with increasing patrols in strategic areas throughout the county—especially where crime trends show higher activity.

Washington County is a large county, and right now there are too few deputies on duty per shift. Mike will work to increase the number of deputies per shift so law enforcement can be more present, more responsive, and more effective.

Solutions

Mike believes the Sheriff’s Office must move from a reactive approach to a proactive one. That starts with increasing patrols in strategic areas throughout the county—especially where crime trends show higher activity.

Washington County is a large county, and right now there are too few deputies on duty per shift. Mike will work to increase the number of deputies per shift so law enforcement can be more present, more responsive, and more effective. A stronger patrol presence deters crime and reassures law-abiding citizens.

A Working, Patrolling Sheriff

Leadership means showing up. Mike will not be a Sheriff who stays behind a desk. He will be a working, patrolling Sheriff—out in the community, working nights and weekends alongside deputies, and understanding firsthand the challenges they face.

By being present, Mike will lead by example, build trust within the department, and ensure accountability at every level.

Stronger Community Engagement

Public safety works best when law enforcement and the community work together. Mike believes we must increase community engagement across Washington County.

As Sheriff, Mike will hold community meetings in multiple locations throughout the county—both before and after the election—to listen directly to residents. These meetings will give citizens a voice and provide valuable insight into the issues they are seeing and hearing in their neighborhoods.

Plans to increase patrols in strategic areas where crime trends indicate higher activity.

Plans to increase the number of deputies working each shift.

Pledges to patrol alongside deputies, including at night and on weekends, if elected sheriff.

Plans to hold community meetings in multiple locations before and after the election to hear from residents.

- Plans to increase patrols in strategic areas where crime trends indicate higher activity.
- Plans to increase the number of deputies working each shift.
- Pledges to patrol alongside deputies, including at night and on weekends, if elected sheriff.
- Plans to hold community meetings in multiple locations before and after the election to hear from residents.

Public Safety

Better Training & Equipment

A professional Sheriff’s Office requires proper training and modern equipment. Mike is committed to improving training and resources for:

Deputies
Jail staff
Communications and dispatch personnel

Well-trained, well-equipped staff are safer, more confident, and better prepared to serve the public.

Is committed to improving training and resources for jail staff, deputies, and communications and dispatch personnel.

- Is committed to improving training and resources for jail staff, deputies, and communications and dispatch personnel.

Jail Management

Investing in Our Youth

Preventing crime starts early. Mike supports expanding programs and activities that positively engage children and young people. Building relationships with youth helps create trust, responsibility, and respect for law enforcement—while steering kids away from crime before it starts.

Supports expanding programs and activities that engage children and young people to help prevent crime.

- Supports expanding programs and activities that engage children and young people to help prevent crime.

Criminal Justice

Mike Patterson

Mike Patterson is a father of two. His son, soon to be 22, proudly followed in his footsteps and now serves as a Police Officer with the Ahoskie Police Department. His daughter, who will turn 14 in March, attends school in Elizabeth City and lives with her mother in Edenton. Mike is also rarely seen without his loyal sidekick, Croc, his small dog who insists on riding along whenever possible.

Mike is a law enforcement professional with more than 29 years of experience. He began his career in 1992 with the Plymouth Police Department. In 2016, he joined the Washington County Sheriff's Office, where he was quickly promoted to sergeant. In 2020, he returned to the Edenton Police Department as a patrol sergeant and later served as an investigator. He stepped away from that role in 2025 to focus on his campaign for sheriff.

Mike previously ran for Washington County sheriff in 2025 but did not win.

Roanoke Beacon

Supports moving the Sheriff’s Office from a reactive to a proactive approach by increasing patrols in strategic areas where crime trends show higher activity.

Supports increasing the number of deputies per shift to enhance law enforcement presence, responsiveness, and effectiveness in Washington County.

Said, "Public safety works best when law enforcement and the community work together. Mike believes we must increase community engagement across Washington County."

For Candidate Mike Patterson on Issue public-safety: Supports holding meetings to give citizens a voice and gather insights on public safety issues in their neighborhoods.

Supports expanding programs that engage children and young people to prevent crime and build trust in law enforcement.

For Candidate Mike Patterson on Issue jail-management: Advocates for proper training and modern equipment for the Sheriff’s Office.

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

Mike is a law enforcement professional. He works at the Edenton Police Department, where he has been since 2020. He previously worked at the Plymouth Police Department, where he began his career in 1992, and at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, where he was promoted to Sergeant in 2016.

Mike Patterson's campaign for Washington County Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Believes in shifting the Sheriff's Office from a reactive to a proactive approach by increasing patrols in areas with higher crime trends.

Plans to increase the number of deputies per shift.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Arlo Norman

- 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. 