For the past four years, Hayes said it has been an honor and privilege for him to serve the citizens of Hertford County. Hayes added that his experience in law enforcement has led him to be a "tested and proven leader."

Sheriff Hayes seeks second term

Dexter A. Hayes has experience in law enforcement.

Sheriff Hayes seeks second term - Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

Juan E. Vaughan  1998-2016
Dexter A. Hayes 2016-present

Sheriff History

Since taking office in 2016 and being elected in 2018, it has been one of his goals to modernize the Hertford County Sheriff's Office by upgrading technology as well as being a visionary leader who leads by example and who understands that the Sheriff's Office should reflect the community in which it serves.

Dexter currently serves as Hertford County sheriff. He took office in 2016 and was elected in 2018.

Sheriff's Office - Hertford County, NC

Dexter currently serves as Hertford County Sheriff.

2026 North Carolina General Election

To aid in the development of a gang investigation unit for Hertford County, he just recently applied for a federal grant to provide salaries /benefits for two positions, and has secured funding from the state budget, which is awaiting approval.

Hayes pointed to several of his accomplishments over the past several years, to include implementing a partnership between his office and the Sheriff's offices in Bertie and Northampton counties and the Ahoskie Police Department to form a joint task force to investigate and suppress violent crimes in and around those respective jurisdictions.

"It's my desire to partner with community organizations, to do more outreach in the community to help redirect the youth and stop senseless violence, and to continue to build positive relationships with the citizens so we can work together to suppress the violence that is happening in our neighborhoods," Hayes said.

Said the domesticated animal involved in the incident should have been taken to a shelter.

Following community outcry, Sheriff Dexter Hayes issued a statement acknowledging the shooting and apologized to residents disturbed by what happened. “They shot it. You know, I’m just gonna be plain,” he explained. “I informed them that because the animal was domesticated, we should’ve did just as I said before, got it to the shelter.” Hayes added that moving forward, any animals in similar situations will be transported to the county shelter to be humanely euthanized rather than put down on scene. “To anyone who was affected by this incident, I deeply regret how this was handled and assure you that it will not happen again,” Hayes wrote.

Stray dog shot by deputy in Hertford County sparks outcry, prompts policy change

Applied for federal funding and secured state-budget funding awaiting approval to develop a Hertford County gang-investigation unit.

Implemented a regional task force to investigate and suppress violent crime with neighboring sheriffs' offices and the Ahoskie Police Department.

Wants to partner with community organizations on youth outreach and build community relationships to help prevent violence.

- Applied for federal funding and secured state-budget funding awaiting approval to develop a Hertford County gang-investigation unit.
- Implemented a regional task force to investigate and suppress violent crime with neighboring sheriffs' offices and the Ahoskie Police Department.
- Wants to partner with community organizations on youth outreach and build community relationships to help prevent violence.

Public Safety

The Sheriff's goals for the next four-year term will be to increase the number of deputies on patrol, increase the starting pay for the deputies and detention staff, and maintain high quality employees to serve and protect the citizens.

Under his leadership and the hard work of the men and women of the Hertford County Detention Center, only one inmate tested positive for COVID-19. Hayes partnered with Roanoke-Chowan Community College to start a GED/ Educational Program to assist inmates with obtaining their GED.

October 6, 2021. Roanoke-Chowan Community College and Career Readiness program is now offering high school equivalency classes, basic skills, and workplace skills to the offenders at the Hertford County Detention Center. This program helps to prepare offenders for success with continuing education to achieve a family-sustaining job upon release. The college works with Sheriff Dexter Hayes and his team to bridge the gap between confinement facilities and educational programs and training.

Hertford County Detention Center Outreach

Outlined 2022 goals to increase patrol staffing and starting pay for deputies and detention staff.

Partnered with Roanoke-Chowan Community College to provide high school equivalency, basic skills, and workplace skills classes for detention-center inmates.

- Outlined 2022 goals to increase patrol staffing and starting pay for deputies and detention staff.
- Partnered with Roanoke-Chowan Community College to provide high school equivalency, basic skills, and workplace skills classes for detention-center inmates.

Jail Management

Sheriff Hayes increased his level of law enforcement training an appointment to a professionalism working group that consisted of 10 Sheriffs from all across the state. Their objectives included discussing 21st Century Policing, Background Checks/Investigation for Employment, and a standardized Use of Force Policy for all law enforcement to follow. Since the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, Hayes has removed the Chokehold Policy from the Sheriff's Office policy. He implemented the Duty to Intervene Policy, Duty to Report Policy, and De-Escalation Training. Other upgrades include the purchase of more enhanced body worn cameras and the policies regarding the use of those devices.

Implemented duty-to-intervene and duty-to-report policies and de-escalation training, while removing the Sheriff's Office chokehold policy.

- Implemented duty-to-intervene and duty-to-report policies and de-escalation training, while removing the Sheriff's Office chokehold policy.

Criminal Justice

Dexter A. Hayes

Sheriff Hayes Seeks Second Term

Henderson	Lowell Griffin (R, inc.)
Hertford	Dexter A. Hayes (D, inc.)
Hoke	Roderick Virgil (D, inc.)
Hyde	Guire Cahoon, Jr. (D, inc.)

North Carolina 2026 district attorney and sheriff candidates

Dexter A. Hayes currently serves as Hertford County sheriff. He took office in 2016 and was elected in 2018.

Who Is Running for Prosecutor and Sheriff in North Carolina in 2026?

Applied for federal funding and secured pending state funding to develop a Hertford County gang investigation unit.

Wants to partner with community organizations on youth outreach and build community relationships to reduce violence.

Plans to transport animals in similar situations to the county shelter for humane euthanasia rather than euthanizing them on scene.

Partnered with Roanoke-Chowan Community College to provide high school equivalency, basic skills, and workplace skills classes at the detention center.

Plans to increase patrol staffing and starting pay for deputies and detention staff.

Implemented duty-to-intervene and reporting policies and de-escalation training while removing the Sheriff's Office chokehold policy.

Implemented a joint task force with neighboring sheriffs' offices and the Ahoskie Police Department to investigate and suppress violent crime.

Dexter is the sheriff of the Hertford County Sheriff's Office.

Perdue confirms worker killed after explosion at Cofield feed mill

Stray dog shot by deputy in Hertford County sparks outcry, prompts ...

A public outcry has ensued after Hertford County deputies shot and ...

Plans to increase the number of deputies on patrol, increase the starting pay for the deputies and detention staff, and maintain high quality employees to serve and protect the citizens.

As sheriff, partnered with Roanoke-Chowan Community College to start a program to help inmates obtain their GED.

As sheriff, implemented the Duty to Intervene Policy, Duty to Report Policy, and De-Escalation Training.

As sheriff, partnered with Roanoke-Chowan Community College to start a General Educational Development (GED) and educational program for inmates.

Dexter is the sheriff of Hertford County. He has held this position since 2018.

Dexter is currently the sheriff of Hertford County. He was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. 

Dexter A. Hayes (Hertford County Sheriff, North Carolina, candidate ...

Sheriff Dexter A. Hayes - North Carolina Sheriffs' Association

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. 