Charles Blackwood

Charles S. Blackwood is a 45-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff's Office, starting his career in 1980 as a patrol deputy. He progressed through the ranks, holding positions such as Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major of Operations before being elected as the 47th Sheriff of Orange County in 2014. He is a lifelong resident of Orange County. Blackwood has served as President of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association and was appointed Chair of the Governor's Crime Commission in 2025. He has also served on various state and local task forces addressing issues like racial justice, mental health, and the opioid epidemic. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2012 and the Dogwood Award in 2020 for his work combating opioid misuse.