Reggie Edwards was a former N.C. Highway Patrol trooper in Wayne County for nearly 30 years, from 1991 through 2019. He is also a first sergeant with the National Guard and has been serving in the guard since 1985. Edwards said one of his biggest goals is to expand the Community Oriented Prevention Education, COPE, Program, which was developed by Winders in 2000.

3 challenge Wayne County sheriff in reelection bid

Reggie serves as a first sergeant with the National Guard. He previously worked as a trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol in Wayne County.

3 challenge Wayne County sheriff in reelection bid | Local News

2026 North Carolina General Election

The Community Oriented Prevention Education, COPE, Program was designed to meet the needs of students, teach them about the dangers of drugs, violence, peer pressure, and gang activity, and to provide community services cooperation through crime watches and home crime prevention surveys. Edwards said, if elected, he wants to expand and develop the program to help more students, especially teenagers, graduate and help them learn the basic things they need before they grow up.

Edwards said, if elected, he wants to expand and develop the program to help more students, especially teenagers, graduate and help them learn the basic things they need before they grow up. He also said that ties into his other goal of increasing prevention of drug or gang-related crime in Wayne County, especially to help young children. “I got a passion for (helping) kids,” Edwards said. “They’ve got a future, and I love to sit there and help them with that future instead of making mistakes.”

He said, if elected, he can use his experience with the National Guard and the N.C. Highway Patrol to be a sheriff who is respectful and trustworthy, and get the best out of the county’s deputies. “I just want all the deputies to be respectful and have the ethics and training and to make sure they are all up on that,” he said. “I will do the job to the best of my ability.”

Plans to expand the Community Oriented Prevention Education program, which teaches students about drugs, violence, peer pressure, and gang activity.

Calls for increased efforts to prevent drug- and gang-related crime, particularly to help young children.

Wants deputies to act respectfully and uphold ethical and training standards.

- Plans to expand the Community Oriented Prevention Education program, which teaches students about drugs, violence, peer pressure, and gang activity.
- Calls for increased efforts to prevent drug- and gang-related crime, particularly to help young children.
- Wants deputies to act respectfully and uphold ethical and training standards.

Public Safety

As of April 6, 2026, Reginald (Reggie) Edwards did not have a website or any information online.

Jail Management

Edwards said another goal is to increase transparency between local residents and the sheriff’s office. “I would like to build strong relationships and increase transparency to the community,” Edwards said. He said, if elected, he can use his experience with the National Guard and the N.C. Highway Patrol to be a sheriff who is respectful and trustworthy, and get the best out of the county’s deputies.

Wants to build stronger relationships with residents and increase transparency from the sheriff’s office.

- Wants to build stronger relationships with residents and increase transparency from the sheriff’s office.

Criminal Justice

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Reginald (Reggie) Edwards

As of April 6, 2026, Reginald (Reggie) Edwards’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Reggie Edwards was a former N.C. Highway Patrol trooper in Wayne County for nearly 30 years, from 1991 through 2019. He is also a first sergeant with the National Guard and has been serving in the guard since 1985.

Reginald (Reggie) Edwards serves as a first sergeant in the National Guard and has served since 1985. He previously worked as a North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper in Wayne County.

Plans to expand an educational program to help more students, especially teenagers, graduate and learn basic life skills.

Prioritizes preventing drug- and gang-related crime in Wayne County, especially among young children.

Wants to build strong community relationships and increase transparency between the sheriff’s office and local residents.

Wants deputies to treat people respectfully and maintain ethical standards and training.

Reginald (Reggie) Edwards's campaign for Wayne County sheriff is his first time running for public office.

Who Is Running for Prosecutor and Sheriff in North Carolina in 2026?

Wants to increase prevention of drug or gang-related crime in Wayne County, especially to help young children.

Reggie served as a North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper for nearly 30 years.

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- 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. 