Ennis Wright named new Cumberland County sheriff
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina (WTVD) -- There's a new sheriff in town -- Chief Deputy Ennis Wright was officially sworn in Tuesday by Cumberland County Judge Jim Ammons.
Wright is no stranger to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office as he served 23 years alongside longtime Sheriff Earl "Moose" Butler.
Sheriff Wright's unanimous appointment comes with little surprise despite speculation that he wouldn't rally the votes he needed to secure the position. However the former Chief Deputy always had the backing of Butler.
Wright, in a touching address to the crowd of nearly 100 said he would've never dreamed of becoming sheriff, but that his experience in the military prepared him to become the county's top cop.
"Coming out of Drill Sergeant School, which really trained me, I trained a lot of different folks from all walks of life from different areas in the United States so that helped me train," Wright said. "The bottom line is, I like giving to folks, I like helping folks. And in law enforcement that's what you do."
Wright is a Fayetteville native, growing up in Massey Hill alongside five brothers. He said his humble beginnings have allowed him to relate to the people he's sworn to serve and protect.
"Raised up by a single mother with five brothers. I never thought in a day that I would become the Sheriff of Cumberland County but I'm proud of the Sheriff Earl Moose Butler for having the confidence in me to leave his legacy to me"
Wright's first order of business will be addressing the county's narcotic epidemic.
His term will expire in 2018.
