CAREER EXPERIENCE

Lance started his career as a young rookie at Lenoir Police Department as a Patrol Officer in February 1996.

He continued his career in law enforcement at the Granite Falls Police Department in 1997 and remained there until 1999 and served a Patrol Officer. During his tenure at Granite Falls Police Department he was very active in the community. Lance was especially active with the North Carolina Special Olympics holding the title of Departmental / Fundraising coordinator. He started his career early becoming very active in the community by coordinating events and fundraising. He constantly assisted with the North Carolina Special Olympics and supported the Torch Run. The police department was given awards during his tenure as coordinator. The department held various fundraisers to benefit the Special Olympics.

Health and Fitness have always been an important priority in his life from his early years. Lance was fortunate enough to represent the Granite Falls Police Department in 1998 at the North/South Carolina Police Olympics. Lance humbly received numerous medals during the competition in various events. He received a commendation letter from Caldwell County Representative Edgar Starnes for the achievements and representation. Police Olympics Champion 1998.

Lance left the Granite Falls Police Department in 1999 and started a new journey with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff under the direction of Sheriff Roger Hutchings. He served with the Caldwell County Sheriff�s Office as a Deputy Sheriff until from 1999-2003. In 2003, another opportunity presented itself within the Sheriff�s Office. The Caldwell County Sheriff�s Office applied and received a new traffic safety grant through the North Carolina Governor�s Highway Safety Program in Raleigh. Lance applied for the position under then current Sheriff Roger Hutchings. Lance has always had a sincere desire to serve in traffic enforcement and this was a huge opportunity for him. After the interview process, he was blessed and fortunate to receive the promotion to the position of Traffic Enforcement and Safety Officer with the Sheriff�s Office. This was a first for Caldwell County. This was a specialized position and one of its own generated by the North Carolina Governor�s Highway Safety Program as stated. The position accepted was for a three year grant position awarded to the Sheriff�s Office. Numerous responsibilities came with the acceptance of the position. During Lance�s tenure in this position he was able to satisfy and exceed all expectations through the requirements of the grant. Also, during the process of the new position, administrations changed. Sheriff Gary Clark and a new administration took office. Lance was able to work with the new administration and team just as he did with Sheriff Hutchings and the former administration.

Lance humbly received numerous accolades for the job that he done not only from superiors in the office and Sheriffs of Caldwell County but the staff from North Carolina Governor�s Highway Safety Program. After the initial grant position the county received, Lance was able to meet with the GHSP staff and the Sheriff�s Office was approved for yet another grant position which once again included a working budget to obtain a fully funded position and fully equipped patrol vehicle just as the first one. The grants were operated on an approximately $300K total budget. Sheriff Clark entrusted Lance with the entire process from the application of the position and all paperwork included to the purchase of all equipment to include the vehicle and all necessary equipment for the position. An additional officer was selected to serve in the traffic enforcement safety division putting another officer on our streets and highways and in our neighborhoods of Caldwell County. Lance was able to build those strong, standing relationships with the Governor�s Highway Safety staff in Raleigh as well as meet and exceed expectations of the program. During the course of the second grant position, Lance was working on obtaining a third position as well as acquiring new equipment for the department. Lance remained serving as the Traffic Enforcement Safety Officer until he resigned in 2007 when he was accepted to begin a career with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Lance�s experience was great and he is very appreciative for the opportunity afforded to serve the citizens of Caldwell County in that capacity. Unfortunately, the Caldwell County Sheriff�s Office no longer has either of these positions as they lost funding for them. They were unable to meet the expectations of the program. Lance worked so hard during this time and was deeply disappointed to hear of the loss of the division at the Office. The federal and state funded positions are opportunities to better provide the citizens with protection and service and there is no excuse for not being able to maintain them.

Lance began his career as a Cadet with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in January 2007 in the 119th Basic Patrol School. During the process and being the leader he is, Lance was selected as a Basic School Sergeant of the entire platoon of 63 cadets. He was chosen to this position by the Basic School Staff to include the commandant of the School. Lance completed the 16 week boot-camp in Raleigh, NC at the Highway Patrol Training Center. This was a challenge for Lance. The biggest challenge for him was being away from his wife and two year old daughter. Lance is very grateful for God�s grace and strength to make it through the rigorous training. Lance was asked to be the special speaker at the Basic School graduation. He spoke on the thought of GOD, Family, Patrol and he discussed the priorities of life. It was very touching and to this day Lance lives by these priorities. They were instilled many, many years ago as a boy.

After graduation Lance was assigned Troop F, District 9 in Caldwell County. He was fortunate to come back to Caldwell County. Depending on the final scores, these would depend on where your duty station would be. Lance was very blessed and fortunate to come back to his home county of Caldwell which is very uncommon. Most troopers have to go away for several years. He served in Caldwell County until October 2012 when he was selected to serve as a Motor Carrier Federal Safety Inspector with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol assigned Troop F, District 9, MCSAP in Catawba County. There are currently only 56 MCSAP Troopers that serve statewide. This is a federally funded position with the State of North Carolina. Lance has served with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol now for six years earning the rank of Master Trooper. This is the highest rank to achieve without gaining rank of Sergeant. It has been an honor for Lance to serve as a trooper with the NCSHP and he will continue to do so during this process.

Lance began his career as a Cadet with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in January 2007 in the 119th Basic Patrol School. During the process and being the leader he is, Lance was selected as a Basic School Sergeant of the entire platoon of 63 cadets. He was chosen to this position by the Basic School Staff to include the commandant of the School. Lance completed the 16 week boot-camp in Raleigh, NC at the Highway Patrol Training Center. This was a challenge for Lance. The biggest challenge for him was being away from his wife and two year old daughter. Lance is very grateful for God�s grace and strength to make it through the rigorous training. Lance was asked to be the special speaker at the Basic School graduation. He spoke on the thought of GOD, Family, Patrol and he discussed the priorities of life. It was very touching and to this day Lance lives by these priorities. They were instilled many, many years ago as a boy.