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PITTSBORO, N.C. (WNCN) — After nearly four decades of service to Chatham County, including more than 10 years leading the sheriff’s office, Mike Roberson has retired.
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A retirement ceremony was held for Roberson on July 15 at Northwood High School, where he graduated and was first sworn in as sheriff, according to Chatham County officials.
Officials said Roberson’s retirement as sheriff comes after his appointment as the District 3 representative on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, a position he began serving the following week.
According to county officials, Roberson was unanimously appointed sheriff by the Board of Commissioners in 2016. He was elected to two full terms in 2018 and 2022.
A lifelong resident of Chatham County, according to officials, Roberson served as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, firefighter, police office, detention administrator, instructor, and chief deputy before becoming sheriff.
Officials said the sheriff’s office earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies under Roberson.
According to the sheriff’s office, Roberson also served as president of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association in 2024 and chairman the following year, while also being selected to the fifth cohort of the North Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows. His honors include the 2020 Special Olympics North Carolina Sheriff of the Year Award and the Human Society of the United States Humane Law Enforcement Award.
Describing Roberson as “a textbook example of a servant leader”, Chatham County Schools Assistant Superintendent Chris Blice said at the ceremony, “A servant leader puts himself last. He puts the people that he works with and the people that he serves ahead of himself 24/7. That is exactly what Sheriff Roberson has been for us. He’s been a leader here and he’s been a leader on the state level. He has made a difference in everything he’s done and for the right reasons.”
Livingstone College President Anthony J. Davis said at the ceremony, “Your service has not only safeguarded our streets but has also fostered a sense of security and belonging among all residents regardless of their race or socio-economic status. You’ve been selfless and it shines through in every action you’ve taken, reminding us that a leader is defined not just by their position but by their heart and dedication to the individuals that they’ve been called to lead and serve.”
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During the ceremony, Chief Deputy Steve Maynor credited Roberson with preparing the next generation of leaders at the sheriff’s office.
“Your example has made a difference,” Maynor said at the ceremony. “The way you led, the way you handled difficult moments, the way you care about the office and the community has helped prepare many of us for the responsibilities ahead. You have helped move the sheriff’s office to another level and you have prepared this leadership team to move forward with professionalism.”
Madison Kilgore, the director of the Central Office for North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, presented Roberson with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in the state during the ceremony, according to officials.
“Sheriff Roberson’s dedication to not only Chatham County but to the state as a whole is a true reflection of his character,” Kilgore said.
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Officials said Roberson was also present with his service badge and service weapon.
“Serving this community has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Roberson said at the ceremony. “I’ve been a paramedic, a police officer, a firefighter, a jail administrator, I’ve worked for Emergency Management and Operations, I’ve been a chief deputy, and I have been sheriff. And though the uniforms changed, the mission never did. The mission has always been to help people, to do the right thing, and to leave it better than you found it.
“To the citizens of Chatham County, thank you for putting your trust in me,” Roberson said at the ceremony. “The only real power of this badge is the public’s trust. And there’s no greater honor than to serve in the place you call home.”