Meet the Sheriff

January 24, 2019 By Nick Wilson

Asa B. Buck, III (R) Carteret County Sheriff

Asa B. Buck, III was born and raised in Carteret County. A graduate of East Carteret High School (1993), he went on to graduate from East Carolina University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.

Asa has been serving the citizens of Carteret County for over 20 years. He began his career as a bailiff in 1998 and upon completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program he was promoted to a full-time patrol deputy with the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office in 1999. Asa quickly moved up the ranks to become Sergeant in 2002 and later Lieutenant of the Patrol Division in 2003.

In 2006, Asa was elected Sheriff of Carteret County. Since being elected as Carteret County Sheriff, Asa has worked on fighting drug crimes with drug roundups, initiating a prescription drug take-back program and hiring more drug enforcement officers. Additional improvements include changes to the county 911 communications system, the addition of cameras and upgraded computer systems in the county’s detention center, the addition and use of naloxone, a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose, which is now available in deputy’s patrol cars.

In his role as Sheriff, Asa is responsible for managing a staff of 99 with an annual budget of more than $9.1 million. Asa is committed to operating an office with an open door policy to any citizen whom may have concerns, complaints, or suggestions regarding the office.

Sheriff Buck is serving his fourth term protecting and serving Carteret County’s 70,000 citizens. The public’s confidence and support is based upon Sheriff Buck’s reputation and results as Carteret County’s top law enforcement officer and his relentless quest to rid Carteret County of drugs and violence. Sheriff Buck extends an open invitation for anyone needing assistance to contact his office at (252) 728-8400.

Sheriff Buck and his wife Katina have two children, stepdaughter Kristen Garner and son Asa Bryant Buck IV.

Honors and Affiliations

North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 2016; East Carolina University Division of Student Affairs – 40 Under 40 Honoree, 2015; President – North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (2014-2015); Vice President – North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (2013-2014); Healthy Carolinians of Carteret County Substance Abuse Task Force Outstanding Volunteer Award, 2009; East Carolina University Criminal Justice Program Outstanding Senior, Class of ’98; North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Leadership Institute Graduate, 2008; North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Executive Committee; North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Legislative Committee; North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Jail and Law and Order Committee; Carteret County 9-1-1 Center Advisory Board; Carteret County Republican Executive Committee; North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee; Coastal Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention (CCSAP) Board Member; Franklin Lodge #109 – Past Master 2001 & 2004; Scottish Rite Mason; York Rite Mason; Shriner.

Meet the Chief Deputy

November 19, 2018 By Nick Wilson

Chief Deputy Franklin R. Fulcher

Message from the Sheriff

November 19, 2018 By Nick Wilson

My fellow citizens. I write to you today to thank you for allowing me to serve you as your Sheriff for the past 12 years. On December 4^th 2006 I took the oath of Office at the age of 31, the youngest Sheriff in the State of NC at that time. I held this designation for eight years.

I am very proud where we’ve come and of many things we have accomplished over the past 12 years. What I am proudest of are the good people who have worked so hard to make The Sheriff’s Office what it is and what it should be.

We have many dedicated public servants serving you every day in our Office from our command and administrative staff, detectives, patrol deputies, civil deputies, school resource officers, court bailiffs, detention staff and volunteers. They are where the rubber meets the road and they all do a great job for our Office and our County.

I thank all the members of our Sheriff’s Office team. I am very proud of them and honored to be able to lead such a fine organization of law enforcement professionals.

I would like recognize and thank the County Commissioners for the funding they have provided to the Sheriff’s Office over the years. Our Commissioners have been very supportive of our efforts and I truly appreciate their support.

I thank the County Managers and many other members of the County Government for the support they have shown our Office. They’re help and support is greatly appreciated.

I’d like to thank the leaders and members of the other law enforcement agencies in our county as well as other state and federal partners. Right now we have the best working relationship we have ever had and it shows and it is making a difference in the level of service provided to the public. All Carteret County citizens should be proud of all of their law enforcement agencies.

Most of all, I thank you the citizens of Carteret County. I could not be your Sheriff and do the job of Sheriff if you didn’t allow me to do so. Your trust, support and assistance over the past 12 years has been tremendous and has meant more to me and the Sheriff’s Office than you could ever know.

We have all come a long way together and I look forward to the future and continuing to serve you as your Sheriff.

Being your Sheriff has been, and continues to be, one of the greatest honors in my life.

Thank you so very much.

Your Sheriff,

Asa Buck

CCSO Mission and Vision

September 27, 2018 By Nick Wilson

Mission Statement

Members of the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office shall endeavor to preserve the peace and provide the highest level of ethical service of all Carteret County citizens and visitors. Among many duties we shall enforce the law, investigate criminal activity, provide security for our courts, execute civil processes and maintain the detention center to the very best of our abilities.

Vision Statement

The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office is a highly competent and professional organization providing public safety and security for Carteret County Citizens and visitors. The Sheriff’s Office strives to establish an atmosphere of trust and cooperation amount our law enforcement officials and the citizens they serve through legitimate policing which consistently upholds ethics, integrity, and transparency.

Our Organization

August 26, 2015 By Nick Wilson

The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office is a multi-faceted law enforcement agency served by over 100 sworn and professional staff members. Our agency serves and protects the citizens of Carteret County and is committed to continuing our long history of safety, service and accountability.

We strive to seek innovative ways to provide excellent service and promote public safety in an era of limited government resources. We are proud of the high quality of law enforcement services that we provide to Carteret County and its citizens.

Our County

Carteret County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is one of the most rapidly growing counties in North Carolina. Carteret County has a population of 70,401 and is located on the central coastline of North Carolina with many of the residents living in or around municipalities and rural “Down East” maritime communities. Its county seat is Beaufort, the third oldest town in North Carolina. The county was created in 1722 as Carteret Precinct and gained county status in 1739. It was named for Sir George Carteret, one of the 17th century English Lords Proprietor, or for his descendant and heir John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,360 square miles, of which 526 square miles is land and 834 square miles (61%) is water. It is the third-largest county in North Carolina by total area.

Carteret County has established itself as a premiere vacation spot, with attractions such as Fort Macon State Park, North Carolina Aquarium, North Carolina Maritime Museum, and Cape Lookout National Seashore. Tourism in Carteret County has an estimated economic impact of $250 million annually.

Our Agency

The Sheriff’s Office is the chief law enforcement agency in Carteret County. We provide general law enforcement, detention, and court services for the citizens of Carteret County.

Sheriff Asa B. Buck, III, who was elected by the residents of Carteret County, is the chief executive of the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office. He manages the Sheriff’s Office which includes the Detention Center and an array of support operations necessary to provide full law enforcement coverage for Carteret County.

Law Enforcement Services

The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office provides a full range of law enforcement services including patrol and investigative services in the unincorporated areas of Carteret County.

Detention Services

The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office manages the county’s only jail facility. Located in Beaufort, North Carolina, the Carteret County Detention Center (CCDC) is responsible for the care, control and custody of Carteret County inmates and for the safety of staff and visitors. CCDC has an average daily population of 117 inmates. No inmate is held except by court order or by other lawful authority.

Court Services

It is the full obligation of the bailiff division of the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office to ensure total security in all of the courtrooms within the county. Additionally, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the transport of inmates to and from the Carteret County Courthouse.