By Miles Layton

COLUMBIA — Joey Elliott, the Republican candidate for Tyrrell County sheriff, is asking voters to weigh nearly 17 years of hands-on law enforcement experience — most of it earned within the county he hopes to lead.

Elliott faces Major Shively, an unaffiliated candidate, in the November 3 election.

Sheriff Kevin Sawyer announced in August that he would not seek reelection, opening the seat for the first time in years.

For Elliott, the campaign is rooted in a life that has unfolded almost entirely within Tyrrell County’s borders. He has lived there since he was 8 years old, and in a campaign statement, he described the county as more than an address.

“Tyrrell County is more than where I live,” Elliott said. “It is where I built my life, raised my family and developed a deep appreciation for the people, values and strong sense of community that make this county such a special place to call home.”

He and his wife, Dana, have been married 40 years and raised three children — now 39, 30 and 28 — in the county. “Through every stage of our lives, Tyrrell County has been our home,” Elliott said.

A career built in corrections, probation and the classroom

Elliott’s path into law enforcement began in 1989, when he joined the North Carolina Department of Corrections as a correctional officer. He said the job gave him an early education in the fundamentals of the profession.

“In that role, I gained firsthand experience in institutional operations, facility security and the importance of maintaining safety in challenging environments,” Elliott said. “The position taught me the value of preparation, sound judgment, accountability and treating people fairly.”

In 2001, he moved into probation and parole work, a shift that broadened his view of what public safety requires. The job put him in direct, day-to-day contact with the people under his supervision rather than behind institutional walls.

“That experience gave me a broader understanding of public safety and reinforced the importance of balancing enforcement with communication, consistency and respect,” Elliott said. “Working directly in communities also showed me that effective law enforcement depends on trust and strong relationships with the people being served.”

Over 28 years of state service, Elliott also worked as a state general instructor, training corrections and probation and parole professionals across North Carolina. His certifications spanned firearms, unarmed self-defense, extradition procedures, drug interdiction, methamphetamine lab interdiction, community policing, de-escalation tactics, arrest procedures, search and seizure, and Basic Law Enforcement Training. He went on to earn master instructor certifications in OC pepper spray use, unlawful workplace harassment and flying while armed, and was certified to train and certify new instructors statewide.

That instructional role, he said, shaped how he thinks about running an organization.

“These experiences taught me that leadership is not simply about giving direction,” Elliott said. “It is about setting clear expectations, providing people with the training and resources they need, and holding yourself to the same standards you expect from others.”

Elliott retired from state service in 2017 but continued teaching as an adjunct instructor at Beaufort County Community College, College of The Albemarle and Lenoir Community College, work he said has let him pass on what he learned over nearly three decades.

“Teaching has allowed me to mentor new and experienced public safety professionals while helping them prepare for the responsibilities and challenges that come with serving their communities,” he said.

Alongside his public safety career, Elliott has owned and operated a small business in Tyrrell County since 1986 — a venture he said has kept him grounded in the everyday concerns of local residents.

“Running a business has taught me the importance of responsibility, careful decision-making, customer service and earning the trust of the people you serve,” Elliott said. “It has also kept me closely connected to the community and given me a greater understanding of the concerns facing local families and business owners.”

Why he’s running

Elliott framed his campaign around a straightforward standard for the office: fairness and accountability toward every resident, not just some.

“I am running for sheriff because I believe Tyrrell County deserves a sheriff’s office that serves every resident with fairness, professionalism and respect,” he said. “Public safety must always come first, but protecting the county also requires building trust, listening to residents and being accountable for how the office operates. Citizens should know what their sheriff’s office stands for and have confidence that their concerns will be heard and addressed appropriately.”

His platform centers on building what he calls a professional, well-trained and community-focused department, with an emphasis on preparing deputies for more than enforcement duties.

“That begins with supporting deputies and ensuring they have clear expectations, strong leadership and the training needed to perform their duties safely and effectively,” Elliott said. “My background as an instructor has shown me that continuing education and practical preparation are essential to maintaining high professional standards. Deputies should be prepared not only to enforce the law, but also to communicate effectively, de-escalate difficult situations and treat every person with dignity.”

Elliott said accountability and transparency would guide how he runs the office if elected, describing the department as something that belongs to the public it serves.

“The sheriff’s office belongs to the community, and its leadership should be accessible, responsible and willing to listen,” he said. “I want residents to feel comfortable raising concerns, asking questions and sharing ideas about how we can make Tyrrell County safer. Trust is not created through words alone. It must be earned through consistent actions, honest communication and fair treatment.”

He also pointed to partnerships beyond the sheriff’s office itself, arguing that public safety is a shared responsibility across the county’s institutions.

“Effective public safety requires cooperation among law enforcement officers, emergency responders, educators, local leaders, businesses, families and community organizations,” Elliott said. “By developing stronger partnerships and maintaining open lines of communication, we can address concerns earlier, respond more effectively and create a safer environment for everyone.”

Looking ahead to November

With the election roughly six weeks away, Elliott said he plans to keep making his case directly to voters across the county in the weeks ahead.

“This campaign is about building a sheriff’s office that residents can depend on and deputies can be proud to serve,” he said. “It is about putting public safety first, supporting law enforcement personnel, maintaining high professional standards and earning the trust of every citizen.”

He said he intends to keep that conversation going through Election Day.

“I look forward to continuing to speak with residents throughout Tyrrell County, listening to their concerns, sharing my vision and earning their support,” Elliott said.