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McDowell Sheriff: I'll try again in 2010

Greene announces candidacy for next year's election

Dudley Greene

By Richelle Bailey | The McDowell News

Published: November 18, 2009

Sheriff Dudley Greene wants his job back.

Greene, 46, announced his plans this week to seek another term of office in 2010.

A Republican, he has served in the top cop spot since his appointment in May 2008 upon the retirement of former Sheriff Jackie Turner.

"Serving as McDowell County's sheriff has been one of the biggest honors of my life," Greene stated. "There have been challenges but, with the help of the good Lord and a great group of people I work with, I think I've gotten my feet under me. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world."

He said he would let his record speak for itself come election time. In the first year of his tenure, his deputies handled 9,049 papers, responded to 6,895 calls for service and made 1,598 arrests on 2,217 charges. Greene's crew also recovered $612,434 worth of property, busted four meth labs and seized, purchased or collected 335 grams of cocaine, 3,746 marijuana plants, 260 pounds of processed marijuana and 10,869 pills. His jail staff booked a yearly total of 1,876 inmates, which is 156 per month, and housed a daily average of 92.

"I hope people will feel the record we've built is worthy of their support, and I would appreciate their vote," the sheriff stated. "My campaign strategy and my pledge for the future are the same and pretty simple – to keep doing the best job we can for McDowell County's citizens and continually look for ways we can serve them better."

Greene holds a criminal justice degree from Mayland Technical College and has worked in law enforcement for the past 26 years. Prior to his appointment as sheriff, he served with Turner's administration in various capacities – detective, jail administrator and captain of detectives – since 1994.

A native of Avery County, he previously served as an officer and chief of Newland Police Department, as an agent with the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Division and as chief deputy and chief detective with the Avery County Sheriff's Office.

Greene has been married to the former Allyson Edwards, a McDowell County native, since 1987. They live in the West Marion community and have two children: Mary, 15, and Julian, 10. They are members of Grace Community Church.

Greene is a member and past master of Linville Lodge No. 489 AF&AM, a member of Mystic Tie Lodge No. 237 AF&AM and a charter member of both McDowell County Crimestoppers and McDowell County Fraternal Order of Police.