Byrd Weighs In On Sheriff’s Department Firings
Dear Editor,
First, I am running for Guilford County sheriff to bring professional leadership to the sheriff’s office.
I spent over half of my life as a deputy sheriff with this office, working for three different sheriffs – my last 20 years for Sheriff BJ Barnes. I was hired as a detention officer, and through my 30-year career I filled the ranks of a detective sergeant for 9 years, an operations lieutenant for 3 years, and my last 10 years as a captain, commanding four different divisions before retiring in 2014.
I watched the sheriff’s office grow to one of the most professional sheriff’s offices in the state, only to watch the leadership destroy a solid agency.
Ed Melvin assisted and supported Danny Rogers being elected. He stood beside him and took his oath. He knew, or should have known, Danny Roger’s character and lack of abilities to lead such a complex agency before accepting this high level position. Ed Melvin stayed for one month and was the chief deputy during the firing of more than 20 employees – period.
If Ed Melvin suggests he was caught completely off guard and had no knowledge of Danny Roger’s plans, this speaks volumes to me.
I personally do not think voters will buy this statement. We are at a point right now, we must have proven leadership, not excuses.
Phil Byrd
Republican Candidate for Sheriff
Phil Byrd and Randy Powers both have the credentials and more importantly the experience to run a Sheriff’s Office like it should be run. Randy Powers has more experience at this than Phil Byrd since Powers was the 2nd in Command of the Sheriff’s Office as he was the Chief Deputy in the Barnes tenure. Sheriff Rogers got in over his head, but surprisingly has held it together during his first term in office.
I worked with and Phil most all of my career as well with the Guilford County Sherries office , retiring in 2013 as a sergeant in the patrol division where I spent most all of my career . I served as a zone partner with Phil on patrol and also as fellow team member on the SERT Team for several years as well with him . Phil
has my total support as I think he will make an outstanding Sheriff .
LC Roberson
I’m just curious: Why does a candidate running for Sheriff have to be aligned politically? Isn’t that a position that should ABSOLUTELY be conducted in an IMPARTIAL manner?
Not when one political party wants to defund the police – I suppose that forces us to take sides…
I’m all for a strong and well funded police department and I will not vote for anyone who says “defund police” – period!!
There is no such thing as being impartial for any political office. Look at judges, liberal is another term for democrat; conservative means republican. In North Carolina the Sheriff has traditionally been the most influential politician in the county. Certainly not the case with Danny Rogers.