Latest news with #EnnisWright
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
In surprise announcement, Ennis Wright to retire as Cumberland County sheriff
(This story was updated to add more information.) Cumberland County officials announced this week that the county's sheriff will be retiring at the end of the month. Sheriff Ennis Wright will retire at midnight June 30 after serving more than eight years as Cumberland County's top cop, officials said June 20. According to a Sheriff's Office news release, in Wright's resignation letter, he, "expressed his gratitude for having had the opportunity to succeed his mentor, Sheriff Earl 'Moose' Butler, and his thankfulness to the citizens of Cumberland County for electing him as sheriff." The release also mentions that the resignation letter states Chief Deputy C. Jack Broadus will assume the duties of sheriff until the commissioners appoint a successor. Wright asked in the letter that the commissioners appoint Maj. Jonathan T. Morgan to succeed him as sheriff. In the resignation letter, Wright, "specifically thanked the citizens for their support and the deputies, detention officers, and civilian employees of the Sheriff's Office for their service, integrity, dedication, and support to him and the fair and just enforcement of the law and fulfillment of their duties during Sheriff Wright's tenure." Wright was first appointed as sheriff in January 2017 after Sheriff Moose Butler retired. He won his first election in November 2018, becoming Cumberland County's first duly elected Black sheriff. County records show Wright, the second-highest paid county employee, earns an annual salary of $226,993. Wright is an Army veteran and Fayetteville native who has been with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office since 1997, according to his biography. Wright's resignation comes just three months after the retirement of former Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden, who retired March 31. Braden announced his retirement in December 2024. City officials announced May 30 that Roberto Bryan Jr., current associate vice chancellor and chief of police at Fayetteville State University, will be the next Fayetteville police chief. 'Left a lasting mark' County Commissioners' Chairman Kirk deViere said in a statement June 20 that he is honored to recognize Wright's nearly three decades of service. "Sheriff Wright is the first African‑American to hold the office in our County's history, and in doing so, he has paved the way for future generations to see themselves as leaders in law enforcement," deViere said. "His trailblazing spirit, combined with his unwavering commitment to fairness and community, has left a lasting mark, not just on the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, but on the entire region." DeVuere described Wright's leadership as "both inspirational and transformative" and stated that under Wright's guidance, the Sheriff's Office strengthened community relationships, expanded outreach programs, and maintained a standard of excellence and professionalism that reflects the very best of public service. Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@ This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright to retire Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Have what it takes to be the next sheriff? Cumberland County opens application process
Applications are being accepted to fill the seat of Cumberland County sheriff following the June 30 retirement of Sheriff Ennis Wright, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners announced July 15. Wright, whose retirement ended more than three decades of public service, made history in 2017 as the first African American to serve as Cumberland County sheriff. He was first appointed by the Board of Commissioners to finish the term of retiring Sheriff Earl "Moose" Butler, then elected to his first four-year term by voters in 2018 and reelected in 2022. "His legacy includes expanded community outreach, strengthened public trust, and a steadfast commitment to fairness in law enforcement," the release said. The release states that the county Board of Commissioners is tasked by law with appointing someone to serve the remainder of Ennis' term, which ends after a new sheriff is elected in November 2026. "We're grateful for Sheriff Wright's years of dedicated service to Cumberland County," board Chairman Kirk deViere said in a county news release. "Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition and continuity in the Sheriff's Office by appointing someone who can step in and serve the remainder of Sheriff Wright's term, as required by North Carolina law." Application process To qualify, applicants must be at least 21 years old, free of felony convictions in any state and a qualified voter in Cumberland County. Residents who meet the qualifications can submit the following application materials to the Board of Commissioners: • A letter of interest, including an eligibility statement. • A resume. • A valid disclosure statement, issued within 90 days of the appointment, of no felony convictions or expungements. The statement must be prepared by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission. • Any additional information the applicant wishes to include. Applicants must hand deliver seven complete copies, one for each commissioner, to board clerk Andrea Tebbe at the Cumberland County Courthouse, 117 Dick St., Fayetteville. Questions on the process can be directed to Tebbe at 910‑678‑7771, by email at atebbe@ or online at The application process closes Aug. 4. The board will determine its appointment choice at its 9 a.m. meeting Aug. 11. The meeting will be held in Room 118 at the courthouse. Applicants will have the opportunity to speak before the appointment is announced, the release said. In announcing his retirement, Wright requested that Maj. Jonathan Morgan be appointed to succeed him. Until a new sheriff is selected by the board, Chief Deputy C. Jack Broadus is serving as acting sheriff. F.T. Norton can be reached at fnorton@ (This story has been updated to reflect that Ennis Wright served in public service for more than 30 years. His first job in law enforcement was with the Spring Lake Police Department in 1994.) This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Applicants sought to fill Cumberland County sheriff vacancy Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Braden for sheriff? Former Fayetteville police chief considers surprise comeback
Former Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden said he is considering applying to fill the vacant term of recently retired Sheriff Ennis Wright. "I'm about 90% there," Braden told The Fayetteville Observer by phone July 17 after users on social media began posting Braden's photo and claiming the veteran Fayetteville police officer had applied for the position. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners announced July 16 that applications will be accepted through Aug. 4. The board will appoint someone to finish the 15 months left in Wright's term at its Aug. 11 meeting. More: Fayetteville police chief talks of upcoming retirement, gives advice to incoming chief Braden, 51, said that while he's enjoyed the months since retiring from the police force March 31, he's "dusted off" his resume. He said one of his biggest concerns is how it will affect his retirement with the Police Department. "I'm really trying to weigh all my options," Braden said. "I am leaning toward, if it's feasible, I would consider doing it, yes." He admitted that since leaving law enforcement — and despite the sunny days he's spent on the golf course — he's missed being a cop. "When you've lived with chaos all around you for the last 30 years, that's the room that you're most comfortable in," he said. "We've got another three or four weeks before I have to make the final decisions. For me, the message right now is that I'm still young. I still have the opportunity to make a difference. I think this is an opportunity on a bigger scale than where I was at to have a bigger influence on the county. "It's sort of like the old adage, 'If not you, then who?'" A resident of Cumberland County since he was 6 years old, Braden had worked for the Fayetteville Police Department since 1996 when he was hired as chief in December 2022. He is the son of a Korean mother and a U.S. paratrooper who met in Okinawa, and he was the first Asian-American police chief in Fayetteville's history. His father served in Special Forces and was assigned to Fort Bragg, bringing his young family here in the early '80s. Wright, who retired June 30 after serving more than 30 years in law enforcement, requested in his resignation that Maj. Jonathan Morgan be appointed to succeed him. Until a new sheriff is selected by the board, Chief Deputy C. Jack Broadus is serving as acting sheriff. Local news editor F.T. Norton can be reached at fnorton@ This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Ex-Fayetteville police chief Braden could seek Cumberland County sheriff Solve the daily Crossword
