On December the 6th, 2018, Lowell Griffin took the oath of office and was sworn in as the Sheriff of Henderson County. Lowell is a lifelong resident of Henderson County and first found his love for public service when he became a firefighter with Edneyville Fire and Rescue in 1982.

Sheriff Griffin | Office of the Sheriff - Henderson County

Lowell is a lifelong resident of Henderson County and first found his love for public service when he became a firefighter with Edneyville Fire and Rescue in 1982. Even today with his duties as Sheriff he still serves as an active EMT and firefighter.

Lowell and his wife Jacque reside in the Fruitland community and when time allows he enjoys fishing and spending time in his shop repairing and restoring vehicles.

Lowell Griffin is a lifelong resident of Henderson County. He serves as an active EMT and firefighter. He lives with his wife, Jacque, in the Fruitland community.

Lowell began his career in law enforcement with the Henderson County Sheriff's office under Sheriff Ab Jackson in 1992 as a detention officer. Throughout his career he has worked several divisions including civil process, patrol, and would later serve as Captain of Criminal Investigations.

During his tenure with Henderson County he has been part of long-term assignments with SWAT and the Bomb Team where he was one of the first certified bomb technicians. Lowell has served as a law enforcement instructor at Blue Ridge Community College for many years.

Lowell has served as a law enforcement instructor at Blue Ridge Community College for many years. In 2014 Lowell took a job with the Polk County Sheriff's Office leading their narcotics division and interdiction programs before returning to be sworn in as Henderson County Sheriff.

Lowell previously worked as a detention officer with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, later served as captain of criminal investigations, and worked as a law enforcement instructor at Blue Ridge Community College. He also worked for the Polk County Sheriff's Office, leading its narcotics division and interdiction programs.

On December the 6th, 2018, Lowell Griffin took the oath of office and was sworn in as the Sheriff of Henderson County.

A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County who started his public service as a teen-age volunteer firefighter at Edneyville Fire Department, Griffin, 59, defeated incumbent sheriff Charlie McDonald in the Republican primary in 2018, then cruised to re-election without opposition in 2022.

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Lowell was sworn in as Henderson County sheriff in 2018. He was reelected without opposition in 2022.

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2026 North Carolina General Election

In 2014 Lowell took a job with the Polk County Sheriff's Office leading their narcotics division and interdiction programs before returning to be sworn in as Henderson County Sheriff. He continues to work with local, state and federal authorities to stem the flow of illegal drugs into our community.

From his first day in office Lowell has stressed the importance of treating all members of the community with respect. He is committed to being transparent, accountable and accessible to not only the men and women of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office but the community in which he so proudly serves. Immediately upon being sworn in as Sheriff, Lowell implemented a strategy never used in Henderson County before. He divided the County into four areas with a district Captain and Major serving as community liaisons. By doing this Lowell quickly increased morale and enhanced community relations which will result in safer communities.

Works with local, state, and federal authorities to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the community.

As sheriff, implemented a four-area command structure with district captains and majors serving as community liaisons.

- Works with local, state, and federal authorities to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the community.
- As sheriff, implemented a four-area command structure with district captains and majors serving as community liaisons.

Public Safety

In a March 2019 interview concerning the county's Immigration and Customs Enforcement relationship and 287(g) agreement, Griffin said: “The only time that we come in contact with somebody that’s illegal that we’re questioning their immigration status is after they’re already inside our detention facility because another crime has been committed,” Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin said.

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Said immigration-status questioning occurs only after a person is in the detention facility following another crime.

- Said immigration-status questioning occurs only after a person is in the detention facility following another crime.

Jail Management

From his first day in office Lowell has stressed the importance of treating all members of the community with respect. He is committed to being transparent, accountable and accessible to not only the men and women of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office but the community in which he so proudly serves.

Is committed to respectful, transparent, accountable, and accessible policing for sheriff's office personnel and the community.

- Is committed to respectful, transparent, accountable, and accessible policing for sheriff's office personnel and the community.

Criminal Justice

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Lowell Griffin

Lowell is from Henderson County, North Carolina. He lives with his wife in the Fruitland community.

Lowell is the Sheriff of Henderson County. He works at the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, where he has been Sheriff since December 2018. He previously worked at the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer (starting in 1992), then in the civil process and patrol divisions, as a SWAT member and bomb technician, and later as Captain of Criminal Investigations; he also led the narcotics division and interdiction programs at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 2014 and served as a law enforcement instructor at Blue Ridge Community College.

Lowell Griffin is currently the Henderson County Sheriff. He was first elected in 2018 and is in his second term.

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Supports participation in the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to collaborate with federal officials to enforce immigration laws.

As of January 5, 2026, Lowell Griffin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

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. 