Gary Parris grew up in Alexander, NC. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of New York, a master's in strategic intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, and a master's in public administration from Troy University in Alabama. He has a wife, three children, and five grandchildren. 

Gary is retired. He previously worked as a deputy sheriff at the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. He then served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years in cryptology and naval intelligence, including multiple deployments to the Gulf, retiring as a senior chief. After leaving the Navy, he worked in criminal justice and corrections, serving as a captain at a level-five maximum security prison.

Former Navy intelligence officer announces bid for Buncombe ...

Gary is retired. He previously worked as a deputy sheriff and captain. He served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years. 

Gary Parris's campaign for Buncombe County Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Gary's campaign for Buncombe County Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Plans to strengthen partnership between deputies, teachers, and school staff to make schools safer.

Plans to update school law enforcement training, policies, and technology to "match the threat environment of 2026 and beyond."

Values keeping families safe and plans to ensure deputies have proper training and tools.

Wants to rebuild relationships with elected officials, local municipalities, law enforcement partners, and emergency responders to form a more cohesive unit.

- Plans to strengthen partnership between deputies, teachers, and school staff to make schools safer.
- Plans to update school law enforcement training, policies, and technology to "match the threat environment of 2026 and beyond."
- Values keeping families safe and plans to ensure deputies have proper training and tools.
- Wants to rebuild relationships with elected officials, local municipalities, law enforcement partners, and emergency responders to form a more cohesive unit.

Public Safety

As of January 2, 2026, Gary Parris’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jail Management

Somebody, do something!: WNC leaders plead for fixes to broken ...

Plans to improve the climate and culture within the Sheriff's Office with a focus on fairness, quality, and honesty.

Plans to create a service office to help victims navigate the justice system.

Supports rebuilding the county's Driving While Intoxicated Task Force.

- Plans to improve the climate and culture within the Sheriff's Office with a focus on fairness, quality, and honesty.
- Plans to create a service office to help victims navigate the justice system.
- Supports rebuilding the county's Driving While Intoxicated Task Force.

Criminal Justice

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Gary Parris

Gary grew up in Alexander, NC. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of New York, a Master of Science in strategic intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, and a masters in public administration from Troy University in Alabama. He has a wife, three children, and five grandchildren. 

Plans to rebuild relationships with elected officials, local municipalities, law enforcement partners, and emergency responders to form a more cohesive unit.

- Plans to strengthen partnership between deputies, teachers, and school staff to make schools safer.
- Plans to update school law enforcement training, policies, and technology to "match the threat environment of 2026 and beyond."
- Values keeping families safe and plans to ensure deputies have proper training and tools.
- Plans to rebuild relationships with elected officials, local municipalities, law enforcement partners, and emergency responders to form a more cohesive unit.

Plans to rebuild the county's Driving While Intoxicated Task Force.

- Plans to improve the climate and culture within the Sheriff's Office with a focus on fairness, quality, and honesty.
- Plans to create a service office to help victims navigate the justice system.
- Plans to rebuild the county's Driving While Intoxicated Task Force.

Buncombe, Asheville full list of primary candidates 2026

Gary Parris is from Alexander, North Carolina. He has a bachelor 27s degree from the University of New York, a master 27s degree in strategic intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, and a master 27s degree in public administration from Troy University. He and his wife, Sandy, have been married for 49 years. He is an ordained deacon at Turkey Creek Baptist Church.

Gary is a retired U.S. Navy senior chief. He served 22 years in cryptology and naval intelligence, including multiple deployments to the Gulf. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as a defense contractor with the U.S. Department of Defense for a decade. He also worked for five years in the Virginia Department of Corrections, where he was responsible for 1,500 civilian staff, corrections officers, and inmates. He later served as a department chair at ITT Technical College in Norfolk, Virginia. Gary also previously worked as a Buncombe County deputy sheriff, criminal justice educator, and department chair. 

Gary previously served as a captain at a level-five maximum security prison.

Gary is retired. He previously served as a U.S. Navy intelligence officer and worked in law enforcement for many years.

Gary Parris is from Buncombe County, North Carolina. He has a bachelor 27s degree from Montreat-Anderson College, a master 27s degree in strategic intelligence, and a master 27s degree in public administration with a concentration in criminal justice.

Gary is a captain at a level-five maximum security prison. He previously served in the U.S. Navy.

Gary's campaign for Buncombe County sheriff is his first time running for public office.

Filing closes for North Carolina's 2026 primary elections, who is ...

- 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. 