Joe Moody to challenge Sheriff Shook

By Scott Nicholson

nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

A career law enforcement officer will run for sheriff against Republican incumbent Mark Shook.

Joe Moody announced Friday he would be filing to run against Shook in the Republican primary. Moody has 33 years of law enforcement experiences, serves as a criminal justice instructor, and has a number of professional certifications to his credit.

“I want to be sheriff,” Moody said. “The people of Watauga County need a sheriff for the people.”

Moody said he wanted to bring professionalism to the Sheriff’s Office, and said budget issues needed to be addressed.

He said while serving as a patrol commander with the department, he helped handle budgets for the office.

He also said he wasn’t interested in negative campaigning.

He added, honesty and integrity issues needed to be addressed in the department.

Moody said, “As an experienced commander, trainer, and sworn officer of over 30 years, I hold strongly to the precept that a sheriff, the highest law enforcement official in the county, ought to have the highest ethical, moral and legal standards, and ought to demand the same from his staff. He or she must be diligent and professional, accountable, and quick to respond to the needs of the people he serves.”

Moody teaches Basic Law Enforcement Training at Wilkes and Caldwell community colleges, and also teaches new jailers.

He believes that experience of having taught most of the county’s current jailers will help with the operation of a new law enforcement center and jail opening this year. “At one time or another, I’ve supervised a lot of people who work in the Sheriff’s Office,” he said.

Moody said while drug cases get the most attention, he’s interested in increasing patrol efficiency and putting more resources toward preventing and solving property crimes.

Moody began his career with 10 years in the Boone Police Department. He joined the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office in 1980 and retired in 2003, though he remains active as an instructor. He’s a state-certified firearms instructor and a court-recognized firearms expert.

Moody said he knows many people in county government and feels he can work well with the county commissioners, county administration, other law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s office. He said he’s worked with the State Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Agency and is comfortable with them.

Moody said his slogan of “Sheriff For The People” reflects his attitude.

“I will serve people with the utmost integrity, dedication and professionalism,” he said.

“I’ll have an open-door policy. The sheriff’s office belongs to the people.”

Moody said he had no prior political experience, though he supported the campaigns of former long-time sheriff Red Lyons. He also described himself as “Old school” and said, “I believe the sheriff’s office should serve and protect the people.”

Shook said he planned to publicly file for reelection on Monday as the final year of his first four-year term draws to a close.