DUPLIN COUNTY SHERIFF BLAKE WALLACE

DUPLIN COUNTY SHERIFF
BLAKE WALLACE
by Lauren Hardin
ON THE JOB…
Originally, Blake Wallace was never really interested in becoming sheriff. For a long time, he
worked for the SBI and planned to retire with them. After Sheriff Garner died, he was
encouraged by many to run for the job.
Sheriff Wallace went to college to study law enforcement. However, it isn’t required. The only
requirements to run for sheriff are to live in that county for at least a year, and you can not be a
convicted felon.
As Sheriff Wallace says, at his job, it’s something different everyday. On a typical day, he gets
to the office and completes any business and paperwork that needs to be taken care of. Then,
he will check on the jail and get administrative work done. Sheriff Wallace enjoys going out for
calls with his deputies.
He says it is devastating how many youth are getting involved with drugs today.
“People seem to think it’s just a certain type of people. It’s not. Drugs and gangs do not
discriminate.”
The sheriff stressed that for us to solve this, it’s important for the youth to be a part of
something “bigger than yourself”. Great examples are Church, 4-H, sports, and volunteering. If
the youth have too much idle time on their hands, they are more likely to get into something
that they aren’t supposed to!
Blake Wallace’s greatest successes have not been his alone, but were a cooperative effort of
his team and him. He says that he thinks his team has done a good job at strengthening the
reputation of the office and really cracking down on drugs in Duplin County.
Sheriff Wallace stated that his biggest challenge as Sheriff is making sure that his deputies
have the resources they need to adequately do their job. At the end of the day, all he wants is to
make sure his deputies can return home safe.
“My biggest challenge is making sure my
deputies have the resources they need
to adequately do their jobs.”
-Blake Wallace