By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — In his campaign, Judge Michael Morgan went by that very name.
On Monday in Rockingham during a special session of Richmond County Superior Court to swear in Richmond County Sheriff James Clemmons Jr. to his second four-year term, it was “Mike.”
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Sheriff James Clemmons Jr. and his son, James, keep their hands on a Bible as the sheriff takes the oath of office for a second four-year term. The oath was performed by North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley.
There was a less formal interpretation of the standards, Morgan noted, as he gestured to loosen his tie and accept a “shout out” from dignitaries who might not have been formally recognized. He even threw in the word “y’all.”
The informal tone of the hour-long ceremony, which took place on the second floor of the old Richmond County courthouse with more than 200 people in attendance, did nothing to take away from the pomp and circumstances — or faith, family and community, three pillars on which Clemmons campaigned.
Clemmons defeated Republican challenger Bo Frye in the Nov. 4 general election. Clemmons garnered 68 percent of the vote, or 8,772 to the 4,126 votes that were cast in Frye’s favor.
“What you have started,” Morgan told Clemmons, “is something the electorate wants you to continue.”
Morgan, who along with Clemmons and his son, James, all are members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The three, along with several in the former jury seating area, shared that bond that others didn’t. It’s a bond similar to that of the deputies, Clemmons said.
He and those in uniform, Clemmons said, are family, as wife Patricia and son James listened.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Personnel with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office took their oath of office Monday afternoon, shortly after Sheriff James Clemmons Jr. was sworn in for a second term.
North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley performed the oath of office, but paused a moment before she did to offer a few personal words of encouragement. Like Morgan, she is a friend to Clemmons — though it’s “Sheriff” or “brah” rather than “Clem” or “James.”
“I know Sheriff Clemmons to be a man of integrity,” Beasley said.
Clemmons thanked his campaign committee co-chairs, Lois Jones and Ronald Tillman, and a host of dignitaries in the audience, including: Richmond County commissioners Kenneth Robinnette and Jimmy Capps; state Sen. Gene McLaurin; Rep. Garland Pierce; Rep. Ken Goodman; Anson County Sheriff Landric Reid; Richmond County Clerk of Superior Court Vickie Daniel; Dobbins Heights Mayor Antonio Blue; Richmond County Register of Deeds Linda Douglas; former Rockingham Mayor G.R. Kindly; Hamlet City Council members Pat Preslar and Jessie McQueen; Hamlet Mayor Bill Bayless; District Court Judge Lisa Thacker; Richmond County District Attorney Reece Saunders; and former Richmond County Sheriff Dale Furr.
After Clemmons’ swearing-in, Mark Gulled took an oath as chief deputy, his second stint in the position under Clemmons. That was followed by the oath of office en masse for the deputies and investigators that work under Clemmons.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley recites the oath of office, repeated by Sheriff James Clemmons Jr., on Monday inside the old Richmond County courthouse.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Mark Gulled is sworn is as chief deputy for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
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