After 20 years of service, Capt. Chad Pennell has retired from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. Pennell began his career in law enforcement in 2000, serving in various capacities throughout his tenure. He has held positions in patrol, investigations, and as a supervisor in the Special Operations Division.

Capt. Chad Pennell retires from Sheriff's Office

Chad retired from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office after working in patrol and investigations and serving as a supervisor in its Special Operations Division.

Chad Pennell sweeps Sheriff seat - The Taylorsville Times

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 November 08, 2022 General Statewide Election Results by County

ALEXANDER COUNTY SHERIFF Chad Pennell REP 10,486 3,707 6,660 113 6
Chris Bowman DEM 4,794 1,540 3,707 6,660 113 6

SKM_C250i22112913260

Chad was elected Alexander County sheriff in 2022.

SKM_C250i22112913260 (Composite Abstract - November 2022 General Election)

2026 North Carolina General Election

In his victory speech, Pennell expressed gratitude to the voters and emphasized his commitment to serving the community. He stated, "I am honored to have the trust of the people of Alexander County. I will work tirelessly to ensure our community is safe and that we have a sheriff's office that is accountable to the public."

Chad Pennell sweeps Sheriff seat

It is the mission of the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office to provide timely, thorough, and professional law enforcement services to Alexander County. If I or my staff can do anything to better serve your needs, please don’t hesitate to let us know. I encourage you to stay safe by being ever vigilant of your surroundings and reporting suspicious activity to our office immediately. Together, we can keep Alexander County a safe and wonderful place to live and work.

Professionally,
Sheriff Chad Pennell

Article

Pledges to work to keep the community safe and make the sheriff's office accountable to the public.

Prioritizes timely, thorough, and professional law enforcement services in Alexander County.

Calls on residents to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity to the sheriff's office.

- Pledges to work to keep the community safe and make the sheriff's office accountable to the public.
- Prioritizes timely, thorough, and professional law enforcement services in Alexander County.
- Calls on residents to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity to the sheriff's office.

Public Safety

As of April 6, 2026, Chad Pennell did not have a website or any information online.

Jail Management

Criminal Justice

Facebook

Instagram

Chad Pennell

Alexander County Sheriff's Office

- Prioritizes timely, thorough, and professional law enforcement services in Alexander County.
- Calls on residents to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity to the sheriff's office.

As of April 6, 2026, Chad Pennell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Chad Pennell, age 54, is seeking re-election to the office of Sheriff.

His education includes High School graduate of ACHS, Associate degree in Applied Science Criminal Justice and Protective Services Wilkes Community College, Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Law Enforcement Certificates, General Law Enforcement Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and numerous Law Enforcement related Schools. He is a US Army Veteran.

Pennell is a member of Millersville Baptist Church. His family includes his wife, DeAnna, daughter, BreAnna, and son, Cole.

Candidates continue filing for 2026 Elections

Chad Pennell graduated from ACHS and earned an associate degree in applied science in criminal justice and protective services from Wilkes Community College. He is a member of Millersville Baptist Church and is married to DeAnna and has two children.

His education includes High School graduate of ACHS, Associate degree in Applied Science Criminal Justice and Protective Services Wilkes Community College, Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Law Enforcement Certificates, General Law Enforcement Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and numerous Law Enforcement related Schools. He is a US Army Veteran.

Pennell is a member of Millersville Baptist Church. His family includes his wife, DeAnna, daughter, BreAnna, and son, Cole.

He has 33 years of experience in law enforcement and three of those years as Sheriff. Among his achievements are two life-saving awards, Crimestoppers Officer of the Year, and being cross-sworn with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Marshals to combat the growing drug problem.

Chad Pennell is a U.S. Army veteran and has worked in law enforcement.

ALEXANDER COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS Scott H. Hines REP 12,494 4,490 7,809 186 9
ALEXANDER COUNTY SHERIFF Chad Pennell REP 10,486 3,707 6,660 113 6
Chris Bowman DEM 4,794 1,540 3,054 196 4
ALEXANDER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT

Chad currently serves as Alexander County sheriff. He was elected in 2022.

Plans to work with county leadership and partner agencies to use sheriff's office resources efficiently.

Plans to support and expand programs that connect schools with law enforcement and improve school security.

Pledges to maintain an accountable sheriff's office and work to keep the community safe.

Committed to providing staff with training, tools, and leadership to deliver a high standard of service.

Plans to increase enforcement and make arrests targeting drug trafficking and repeat offenders.

Plans to provide drug education and prevention, especially for youth and vulnerable populations.

Supports rehabilitation to reduce recidivism and help people rebuild their lives.

Chad is the sheriff of Alexander County. He works at the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office.

Commissioners hold budget work session on May 12

Chad Pennell is currently the sheriff of Alexander County. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

Chad Pennell (Alexander County Sheriff, North Carolina, candidate ...

Supports increasing pay for sheriff's office employees, saying "retention and recruitment are difficult, having lost 66 of 120 employees over a 2.5-year period."

Supports the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program, which educates youth aged 14-20 on law enforcement and teaches teamwork, discipline, time management, and leadership skills.

Chad is the sheriff for Alexander County. He works at the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office. He previously held various law enforcement roles in Alexander County.

Chad Pennell is currently Sheriff of Alexander County.

Supports increasing pay for sheriff deputies to improve retention and recruitment.

Chad is the Sheriff of Alexander County. He works at the Alexander County Sheriff's Office.

Chad Pennell's campaign for Alexander County sheriff is his first entry into politics.

For Candidate Chad Pennell on Issue jail-management: Supports pay raises for sheriff's office employees to improve retention and recruitment.

Chad is currently the sheriff of Alexander County. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

Requested a school resource officer at Millersville Christian Academy.

Chad Pennell's campaign for Alexander County Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Sahid Burgos

Buket Urgen

- The sheriff is responsible for enforcing the law, managing security in jails and courtrooms. They also oversee daily conditions of the jail and inmates in custody and serve legal documents such as warrants and eviction notices. Their ultimate responsibility is to protect the community. 

Responsible for enforcing the law and overseeing jails. 