Proven Leadership, Ready to Serve.
Experience you know, Leadership you trust.
About Me
Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood is a 45-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, where he began his career in 1980 as a patrol deputy and rose through the ranks to become the 47th Sheriff of Orange County. Over four and a half decades of service, he has held leadership roles from Lieutenant to Major of Operations, retiring briefly in 2012 before being elected Sheriff in 2014. That same year, he was honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest awards for service.
As Sheriff, Charles has continued to shape public safety at both the local and state level. He has served as President of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, and in 2025 was appointed by Governor Josh Stein as Chair of the Governor’s Crime Commission. He has also been a member of the SBI Center for the Analysis of Police Use of Force, the NC Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Board, and multiple local and state task forces addressing racial justice, behavioral health, school safety, and the opioid epidemic. In recognition of his leadership, he received the Dogwood Award from Attorney General Josh Stein in 2020 for his efforts in combatting opioid misuse through the COORE program.
A lifelong resident of Orange County, Charles is married to Lisa Williams Blackwood. They have two children and two grandsons, affectionately known as “Bitty & Bug.”
“Innovative Leadership, Strengthening Community.”
Through proven leadership and a commitment to progress, we’ve built a professional Sheriff’s Office that values accountability, respect, and service. By fostering teamwork within our agency and creating open dialogue with the community, we’ve strengthened trust and set a foundation for lasting positive change.
40+
Years Serving the People of Orange County
10
Years as Sheriff of Orange County
3,600+
Hours of Continued Law Enforcement Training
A MESSAGE TO MY SUPPORTERS
My family, the members of the Sheriff's Office, and I are grateful to you for the support and encouragement shown to us over the course of my 10-years as Sheriff. We very much appreciate the many acts of kindness, emails, letters, contributions and hard work done by our supporters.
I am grateful to the members of my staff who shouldered much of the load allowing me to spend time in the communities across our county, and as President of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, the time I was away in other counties and other states. I am blessed to be able to continue to serve both locally and at the state level to improve law enforcement as a profession, and to further our efforts on hiring and retention of quality employees.
I am especially proud to have been selected by our Governor to Chair the Governor's Crime Commission where we strive to improve public safety across our great state.
Most of all I am grateful to you, the voters, for clearly demonstrating your approval of the job we are doing to make Orange County a safe place to live, work, raise a family and age in place with dignity and respect.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge my family for standing by me and supporting me as I go to work, and to my God for getting me back home safe at the end of the day.
Thank you again for the trust you have placed in me to serve as YOUR Sheriff, and for your continued support as we approach the 2026 Primary Election.
In this, my 45th year serving this county, I look forward to a 4th Term as Sheriff, "The Peoples Office", where I pledge to continue serving you.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood
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