Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Donnie Harrison was first elected Sheriff of Wake County in 2002, and was elected to a second term on November 7, 2006. Sheriff Harrison is the first certified law enforcement officer to be elected Sheriff in Wake County. Before serving Wake County as its Sheriff, Donnie Harrison was a veteran law enforcement officer. May 10, 2010, marks his 43rd year in law enforcement.

For 26 years he served on the North Carolina Highway Patrol, working Wake County exclusively, learning first-hand the challenges law enforcement officials face in our county. In addition to working Wake County, Donnie served as Chief of Security for the Lieutenant Governor, 1988-92, and also taught numerous courses at the Highway Patrol Academy.

Sheriff Harrison has also been recognized as one of Wake County's top canine search and rescue handlers. He trained his own dogs and voluntarily offered his services to find lost Alzheimer's patients, lost children, and track down criminal suspects for local law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff Harrison has been a hands-on Sheriff. He works the road, shows up at calls, checks in with detention staff, goes on drug raids, and accompanies detectives as they investigate cases.

"I always said I would be a working Sheriff, out there with our employees. With over 43 years of law enforcement experience, I've been there and know what they face. I want them to know that I love law enforcement and am proud to work beside them."

Sheriff Harrison grew up in Bear Grass, North Carolina. When he joined the patrol, he was assigned to Wake County and remained here until he retired as a Sergeant. He currently lives in Garner. He has two daughters, one granddaughter, and one grandson.

As your Sheriff, I've kept my promises to Wake County citizens. To reduce response time, we have reorganized and used existing personnel to put more deputies on the road. We have improved jail operations, created a Special Response Team to respond to school emergencies, expanded the canine team, implemented a Citizens Well-check Program, and partnered with the Pilot Club of Raleigh to offer Project Lifesaver to our citizens.

I am a working Sheriff -- in your neighborhoods and on our roads patrolling. My goal is to work the front lines, interact with my deputies on scenes, and get to know you and our community better so I can serve more effectively. From serving our children with the Law Enforcement Adventure Camp to looking after some of our most fragile citizens with Citizens Well-check Program, these initiatives are based on my philosophy that Wake County citizens are the purpose of our work at the Wake County Sheriff's Office.

Since taking office in December 2002, I noted an increase in the number of illegal aliens charged with crimes. My office is part of the 287 (g) program which is a voluntary initiative authorizing Wake County to work with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and detain immigration offenders. Since July 2008, my Office has interviewed 4561 foreign born nationals and processed 3012 aliens.

This year, whether you vote early or on Election Day, I ask that you vote for me. Together, we can continue making Wake County better by keeping it safer.