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3 challenge Wayne County sheriff in reelection bid

Larry has previously worked as a Goldsboro police officer, a Wayne County reserve the owner of the Nahunta Pork Center.

Larry previously ran for Wayne County sheriff in 2022 but did not win.

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Larry currently serves as the Wayne County Sheriff. He was first appointed in 2014 and is serving his fourth term.

As sheriff, oversaw the creation of a Mobile Command Center, DWI task force, and a juvenile crime prevention team.

Plans to expand the sheriff's patrol division because of higher call volume.

- As sheriff, oversaw the creation of a Mobile Command Center, DWI task force, and a juvenile crime prevention team.
- Plans to expand the sheriff's patrol division because of higher call volume.

Public Safety

As sheriff, oversaw the construction of two detention centers.

- As sheriff, oversaw the construction of two detention centers.

Jail Management

As of January 2, 2026, Larry M. Pierce’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Criminal Justice

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Larry M. Pierce

Larry previously ran for Wayne County Sheriff in 2022 but did not win.

Larry M. Pierce is currently the Sheriff of Wayne County. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

Larry is the sheriff of Wayne County, North Carolina. He previously ran for sheriff in 2022.

Larry is currently the Wayne County sheriff.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Ricky Hooks is from Wayne County, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in law enforcement technology from Wayne Community College and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Ricky Hooks is from Wayne County, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in law enforcement technology from Wayne Community College and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College. He has a wife and child.

Ricky is a law enforcement officer. He is currently a detective with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. He previously served as a school resource officer for Rosewood High School. Before joining the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, he worked for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for 24 years. He began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Town of Mount Olive. Ricky also serves as a part-time adjunct instructor for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at Wayne Community College.

Ricky is currently a detective with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. He previously served as a school resource officer for Rosewood High School. Before joining the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, he worked for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for 24 years. He also serves as a part-time adjunct instructor for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at Wayne Community College.

Ricky previously served as a detective with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. He also served as a North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper for 24 years. He retired in 2021 as a troop commander.

3 challenge Wayne County sheriff in reelection bid | Local News ...

Retired state trooper sets up primary for Wayne County sheriff's race

Supports addressing vacancies and retaining existing employees to "ensure high visibility and decrease response times."

Wants additional deputies to serve as full-time School Resource Officers in all elementary schools, not just middle and high schools.

Believes personnel should receive ongoing training to "accurately identify and appropriately engage" individuals experiencing mental illness.

- Supports addressing vacancies and retaining existing employees to "ensure high visibility and decrease response times."
- Wants additional deputies to serve as full-time School Resource Officers in all elementary schools, not just middle and high schools.
- Believes personnel should receive ongoing training to "accurately identify and appropriately engage" individuals experiencing mental illness.

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

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Ricky Hooks

Ricky Hooks is from Wayne County, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in law enforcement technology from Wayne Community College and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College. He is a part-time adjunct instructor for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at Wayne Community College.

Ricky is a law enforcement officer. He is currently a deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, where he serves as a detective. He previously worked as a police officer with the Town of Mount Olive from December 1993 to January 1997. He then worked as a trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol from February 1997 until September 2021, when he retired. Ricky also serves as a part-time adjunct instructor for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at Wayne Community College.

Ricky previously served as a North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper from 1997 to 2021. He also worked as a police officer for the Mount Olive Police Department from 1993 to 1997.

Ricky is from Wayne County. He attended Eastern Wayne High School. He has an associate’s degree in law enforcement technology from Wayne Community College. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Ricky is a part-time adjunct instructor at Wayne Community College, where he teaches in the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program. He previously worked as a welder and machine operator at AP Parts; as a police officer with the Town of Mount Olive from December 1993 to January 1997; as a troop commander with the NC State Highway Patrol from February 1997 until retiring in September 2021; and as a deputy and detective with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office from November 2021 to April 2025.

Ricky Hooks's campaign for Wayne Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Ricky is a law enforcement officer. He previously worked as a police officer with the Town of Mount Olive from December 1993 to January 1997. He then served as a trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol from February 1997 until September 2021. He later became a school resource officer at Rosewood High School through the Wayne County Sheriff's Office from November 2021 to July 2023, before being promoted to detective. He also serves as a part-time adjunct instructor for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at Wayne Community College.

Ricky is currently a detective with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. He was sworn in as a full-time deputy in November 2021. Before that, he served as a trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for over 24 years.

Ricky is from Wayne County, North Carolina. He attended Eastern Wayne High School. He has an associate's degree in law enforcement technology from Wayne Community College and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Ricky is a part-time adjunct instructor. He works at Wayne Community College, where he teaches in the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program. He previously worked at AP Parts as a welder and machine operator, served as a police officer with the Town of Mount Olive from December 1993 to January 1997, spent over 24 years with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol retiring in September 2021 as a troop commander, and served as a deputy and detective with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office from November 2021 until April 2025.

Ricky Hooks's campaign for Wayne County sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Stephen (Stevie) Howell lives in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Stephen has spent 12 years with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and eight years in law enforcement.

Stephen's campaign for Wayne County sheriff is his first time running for public office.

Supports combating crime with new strategies and technology.

Believes in promoting officer wellness and readiness.

- Supports combating crime with new strategies and technology.
- Believes in promoting officer wellness and readiness.

As of January 2, 2026, Stephen (Stevie) Howell did not have a website or any information online.

- Wants to  review cold cases for closure.

Stephen (Stevie) Howell

Stephen is a retired North Carolina Highway Patrol commander.

Stevie is a retired commander with the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Stephen is a retired highway patrol commander. He previously served with the highway patrol.

Stephen (Stevie) Howell's campaign for Wayne County sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Stevie is a retired Highway Patrol commander.

Stephen Howell's campaign for Wayne County sheriff is his first time running for public office.

- 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. 

Wayne Sheriff, Republican Primary

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