By Chris Berendt

Staff Writer

Roseboro resident Ray Self, a Democrat, wants to serve Sampson County, and said he has the experience to do so. He announced his official candidacy for county sheriff with a filing Monday.

Self, who lives in the Herring township, has been a sworn law enforcement officer for the last 30 years, with 24 of those working for the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. Since his retirement from there in 2003, Self has worked as an auxiliary police officer for the the now-defunct Roseboro Police Department and currently serves in the same capacity for the Salemburg Police Department.

The candidate said he knows the sheriff is a servant of the peopl and noted he has the experience to serve them well.

“The reason I chose to run is to be a servant to the citizens of Sampson County,” said Self. “I’ve got over 30 years of law enforcement service, and I feel like I can do a better job or I wouldn’t be doing it.”

Self was born in Roanoke, Va., one of three sons born to Dorothy and Charles Self.

He received his basic law enforcement training (BLET) at Wilson Community College. From there, he went into his career in law enforcement.

That law enforcement career began with service as an auxiliary police officer for the city of Rocky Mount, where he went full-time at the age of 21. A position as ABC officer for Edgecombe County would follow before Self was hired as police officer and investigator with the town of Cary’s Police Department. There, he conducted investigations into major crimes, and was also in charge of the department’s drug unit, he noted.

In 1980, Self started working with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, where he would spend the next 24 years. He began as a patrol officer before ascending through the ranks and working in a variety of capacities, including as lieutenant of the drug and vice unit, then as captain of judicial services and finally as a sheriff’s major. He would hold that position for roughly three years before retiring in 2003.

Self came to Sampson County 33 years ago, after marrying his wife, the former Julean Matthews, who was born in Roseboro. Both now reside in the Herring township, where they are members of Central Baptist Church and Self heads up the security and parking lot team, one of his several volunteer duties for the church.

Self said the knowledge he has accrued of the judicial system, including hands-on experience investigating serious crimes, supervising staff in the narcotics unit, managing staff serving papers in civil and criminal matters and supervising court personnel, has proved invaluable.

He attested there is not much he hasn’t seen or done, and that has prepared him to serve as the next sheriff for Sampson County if citizens support his candidacy. Self has already spoken to many citizens during his campaign — he started handing out materials about a sheriff’s run a year ago — and wishes to continue to hear their concerns and input throughout.

“I think with the experience I have, I feel like I can do a better job than what’s being done,” said Self. “I have nothing against Jimmy Thornton, I just feel like I can do a better job. It’s up to the citizens of Sampson County whether they want a change or not, because times are not getting better.”

Self stayed mum on specific ideas he would bring to the office for now, but said there would be programs enacted for young people and elderly alike. Elderly residents who wished to participate would receive a phone call as part of a “phone tree,” under one particular program. If they did not answer, a deputy would check on them, Self said.

The goal is to respond to calls and help people. The job of the Sheriff’s Office is to answer calls for service, conduct investigations and make arrests, not write traffic citations, Self said.

“Drugs, the gang problem, unemployment, the larcenies, break-ins, people are getting laid off from work and it’s getting to the crucial point,” Self remarked. “I’m just wanting to bring my experience from other agencies so we can make this one sufficient. I know I can do a better job.”

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.