18-07-2025
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
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