Johnny Lance Wilson, 38 years of age, was born in Catawba County in 1974. From birth he was raised in Caldwell County beginning in the Lower Creek area of Lenoir and moving to the Mount Herman area of Hudson in 1981. He was born to Karen Triplett Wilson and the Late Johnny Mack Wilson of Lenoir, NC in June of 1974.
Unfortunately, his father was killed in an alcohol related shooting incident in Burke County two months before he was born so he never had the opportunity to meet his father. Lance’s mother, Karen, raised his brother, Johnny Rhett, sister, Angelique, and she faithfully fulfilled both roles of the mother and father. She raised the children up in a Christian home and taught the importance of Christian, moral and ethical values. She taught the children what respect & character was all about. As a single parent raising three children she quickly adapted to the leadership role of father and mother. She had to be the leader of the family after his father was killed as she had no choice. She had to stand up and assume the sole leadership position for the family. There is no doubt where Lance’s leadership abilities came from. She pressed on faithfully by raising three children and teaching them not only character, respect and principles of moral and ethical standard but by teaching them about integrity and doing the right thing. The Wilson family faithfully attended Gospel Baptist Church in Newton, NC. His mother would take Lance and the siblings to church from Lenoir to Newton-Conover three services per week. As Lance has looked back through the years he knows that it was not easy for his mother.
The death of Lance’s father was very hard on his mother but she was determined to succeed. Her love, dedication and commitment to her children were a priority. She is a leader and will always be. She took a stand and got the job done. Lance’s father was a man of many talents and a leader as well. His dad, Johnny Mack, was a gifted athlete and a very talented boxer; however, he made some poor choices and decisions that cost him his life. He was involved in an alcohol related shooting in April of 1974 in Burke County and he would never see his family again. He would never meet his unborn son who would later write about him and share about his life in testimony.
Lance’s father's death, due to those wrong choices by means of alcoholism, his mom's inspiration and will to do what is right has driven Lance to become what he is today. This is what inspired Lance as a young childhood boy to go into the field of law enforcement and help others and combat against what his dad chose to do. This is the plan GOD had in Lance’s life, to be a servant for others and a lifeline of assistance to all who need it.
Lance graduated from South Caldwell High School in 1992. As many do, after high school Lance had to get a job. While most others in his family after graduation opted to serve our great nation in the military, Lance was eager to start his law enforcement career as soon as feasible and did just that. The vision from the first grade was coming to fruition. Lance was persistent in what he was going to do. He enrolled at Caldwell Community College after high school and took various courses waiting on the opportunity to go to Basic Law Enforcement Training. He then attended Basic Law Enforcement Training at Caldwell Community College when turning 21 years of age. He graduated Basic Law Enforcement in the fall of 1995 and immediately started his law enforcement career without hesitation. He was eager and excited serve and to get onto the streets and make an immediate impact in the community. This is where he started and this is where he remains. He does not serve to receive accolades. He does not serve to receive medals and honors. He does not self- serve or do it to make himself look special. Lance serves because he truly wants to serve. He serves to make a difference in lives. He strives to touch hearts and lives on and off duty. The badge does not make him who he is but it is what is under the badge that makes him who he is. From a childhood boy there was a vision. The vision turned into full view in 1995. When asked by others, “Why do you want to become a police officer, deputy or trooper?” His answer is and will always be, “To make a difference in lives, to help and serve others.” This calling in his life was being fulfilled. Lance has fulfilled the calling in his life and has served proudly as a law enforcement officer since February of 1996. Lance has served with the Lenoir and Granite Falls Police Departments, the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office and currently serves as a Master Trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. (See Experience Link for further).
For folks that know Lance Wilson they know he is a family man. He is a very humble man and one of priorities. As stated, his priorities are GOD, his family and then his career. He has been blessed with a wonderful family to include his wife and children. He is married to Julie Herald Wilson and they have three beautiful children the LORD has blessed them with, Madeline (8), Landon (6) and Landry (4). The Wilson’s enjoy spending time together, going to church and ministry events and going to various parks. They also enjoy playing sports. Lance is a very personable, whole-hearted, devoted faith and family man. He would have a whole house full of children if he could. He loves children and strives to raise his children the way he was raised by his mother teaching them right from wrong, values of a strong Christian home along with moral and ethical standard. Lance is very thankful to God for his family and loves them very much. He strives to be the father he never had growing up. He is very thankful for the rest of his family. His mother, Karen, married Danny Hendrix of Sawmills. Danny (Pop) and Lance are very close. Pop is very influential in Lance’s life. Not only do they have the father-son relationship but they are best friends. Pop is an inspiration to Lance. Pop is also a very integral part of this campaign process. Lance’s brother, Johnnie Rhett and his wife, Crystal, and niece, Alyssa, reside in Seattle, WA. Lance’s sister, Angel and her husband Steve reside in Lenoir.
Lance Wilson is a Christian and a man of strong and deep faith. As stated, his mother raised the children in a Christian home. With that being said, he will say he is running for public office and that office being Sheriff of Caldwell County. He is running to lead Caldwell County as the next Sheriff. It has been mentioned by others in the law enforcement field Lance cannot become Sheriff and be a preacher. Lance will take a stand, go into the direction he is being led and prove he can. Lance says we need servants with values and he is willing to accept the challenge. Lance Wilson will not dare force any faith or religious beliefs on anyone and never has, however, just as a leader in the Sheriff’s Office should do by giving credit where credit is due, Lance will do the same with his faith. A smart leader will give credit where credit is due.
Lance is the founder of a ministry called Cops 4 Christ Ministries. This group was established in 2005 with some deputies and the chaplain getting together for prayer meetings at the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office. The prayer groups began to increase in size and eventually the meetings involved other agencies. A first annual Cops 4 Christ Revival was laid on hearts and took place in August 2008 and the ministry continues to thrive. Cops 4 Christ Ministries is an active evangelistic ministry and involves numerous officers and local church partners and members. This ministry travels to many areas making an impact in various communities.
Lance and his family are members of Green Mountain Baptist Church in the Yadkin Valley Community. The Rev. Charles Keever has served as a mentor in his life. Lance is a Baptist evangelist. He was called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ on June 16, 2005 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at a Greg Lentz (CYF) Youth Rally. He has been preaching the gospel for 8 years and he also sings lead in a southern gospel quartet. The name of their group is All 4 Him. The group ministers regularly in different churches, venues, parks, etc. As you can see Lance is very involved in the community and churches in Caldwell County.
As his mother was responsible for the raising of Lance and his siblings, Lance and Julie are responsible for the upbringing of their three little children. They will do the best they can as parents to inspire, train and lead them. All of these things need to occur in our home as this is the foundation. Lance Wilson will do the same thing in our Sheriff’s Office in Caldwell County. He will inspire, train and lead this department into a NEW ERA………A NEW BEGINNING.
As you can read through this information, many things are important in Lance’s life just as they are yours. There is no doubt in his mind that many of you reading this biography information can relate. Do you know what this means? It means you are equal. Lance is a common person just as you are. He is on the same level as you are. Lance is not a self-righteous politician out for himself. He is here to serve others. He is here to lead the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office into a New Beginning. Lance wants to establish much needed moral and ethical standard at the office, create morale, and motivate by leading by example. Lance Wilson is the servant to do just that.
Lance Wilson is a man of totality to incude the following attributes: morals, ethics, inspiration, dedication, intergrity, loyalty, influence, character, trust, humility, honesty, determination, motivation, accountability, responsiblilty, wisdom, experience, standard, professionalism. With these attributes it is evident Lance Wilson is ready to take on the Office of Sheriff of Caldwell County in 2014.
Instead of scandals, we need service! Instead of misconduct, we need morals! Instead of lawsuits, we need trusted leadership! Instead of a politician looking to win the next election, we need a statesman for this generation! Lance Wilson is the leader to lead US. With that being said Lance Wilson asks for your support and your vote. It is time for a NEW BEGINNING AND IT BEGINS WITH…WE THE PEOPLE in CALDWELL COUNTY.
(For Full Testimonial of Lance Wilson with photos CLICK HERE)
