06/06/2026
This week, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association hosted sheriffs and their personnel from all corners of the state for their annual Legislative Day at the General Assembly in Raleigh.
McDowell County Sheriff and NCSA President Ricky T. Buchanan was proud to be able to attend the event. Commenting on the experience, he stated, “The decisions being made in Raleigh have a real impact on public safety in our counties, so I am grateful to be able to be the voice of the people of McDowell County when it comes to criminal justice issues. These relationships we build and maintain during each legislative session ensure that we all share a common goal with our legislators of keeping all of our citizens safe.”
Sheriff Buchanan was able to meet with N.C. State Senator Warren Daniel and N.C. State Representative Dudley Greene, to discuss issues impacting public safety across the state. Expressing his appreciation for their continued support, Sheriff Buchanan stated, “We are grateful for the strong partnership and support of Senator Daniel and Representative Greene. Their willingness to listen to the concerns of law enforcement and work alongside us on public safety issues is invaluable to the citizens we serve.”
Each year while the legislature is in session, sheriffs and their personnel are invited to join NCSA staff and lobbyists at the state capital to meet with legislators. This event allows sheriffs the opportunity to meet face to face with lawmakers to discuss public safety and law enforcement issues.
This year, sheriffs discussed with legislators the necessity that the General Assembly enact legislation to keep THC products out of the hands of minors. Sheriffs across the state continue to see children and others suffer serious illness and effects from buying products that are intoxicating in nature from stores that everyone – even children – can access. Sheriffs also discussed a bill related to robocalls. The bill would make it unlawful for someone to call pretending to be a sheriff or personnel with a law enforcement agency in order to defraud a person for money, a common scam this year in North Carolina.
Sheriff Buchanan emphasized the importance of sheriffs maintaining positive relationships with lawmakers. “Legislative Day lets us have real, one-on-one conversations with our legislators to let them know what deputies are experiencing in our communities, and what our citizens see as real public safety concerns. It is important for them to hear about the issues directly from the source.”
