Major David Anderson Retires from Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office With 30 Years in Law Enforcement
LENOIR, NC (May 26, 2017)…Major David E. Anderson will retire from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office effective June 2, after 24 years with the Sheriff’s Office and a total of 30 years of service in law enforcement.
Major Anderson had served for three years as a Patrol Officer with the Lenoir Police Department when he was hired by Sheriff Roger Hutchings and joined the Patrol Division of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office in January of 1993. Anderson worked his way up to Captain of Patrol in 2006. He was then appointed to Major/Chief Deputy by Sheriff Alan Jones on July 1, 2008.
“David Anderson and I have worked together so long that he is like my right arm,” says Sheriff Alan Jones. “We starting working together at the Lenoir Police Department, then here at the Sheriff’s office and he has served as my Chief Deputy for over eight years. David is one of the best friends I have and a good Christian man. He has always been there when I needed him and always a hard worker for the sheriff’s office. I’m going to miss him dearly but he has earned his retirement and I wish him the best in the future.”
Major Anderson began his law enforcement career in the United States Army. He attended Military Police School at Fort McClellan, Alabama in 1986. After airborne training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, Anderson was assigned to the 21st Military Police Company (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He joined the Lenoir Police Department in 1990.
Known as a man of faith, Major Anderson says he has been deliberating and praying for a while about when the best time to retire would be.
“I realized last summer that I didn’t want to miss another summer with my sons,” explains Anderson. “Working in law enforcement, when you are off from work, you are never really completely off. So, I was led to the decision that now is the time for myself and my family. I have not decided exactly what I will be doing other than working at home and on our property. I am praying and waiting to see where I am led. There are several things I would like to do.”
When asked for the best memories of his years in law enforcement, Anderson quickly answers it is the friendships he has made with his fellow officers. “I’ve worked for three Sheriff’s, Sheriff Hutchings, the late Sheriff Gary Clark and Sheriff Jones,” he explains. “I have enjoyed working for and respected all three. I really love the history of this office and the job has changed so much through the years with the advances in technology. Even with that, my favorite part of the job has always been the investigating; working through the evidence, hunting and finding the persons that were wanted. I have always loved that.”
When asked about the toughest time of the job, Major Anderson replies quietly, “the night Deputy Adam Klutz was killed in the line of duty. I have been shot at many times and dealt with a lot of tough situations, but that night was the worst.”
Major Anderson was one of several deputies who was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions on the night Deputy Klutz was killed. One of his final acts as Major/Chief Deputy was to oversee the installation of a permanent memorial at the Sheriff’s Office for Deputy Klutz this past weekend.
“In the almost eight years I have worked with the Major Anderson, I have always been appreciative and impressed with his calm, steady and professional manner of handling any situation, no matter the circumstances,” says Stan Kiser, Caldwell County Manager.
Kiser continues: “I always respected and relied on his opinion in law enforcement issues and always knew that he would take care of matters at the Sheriff’ Office when the Sheriff was out of town. He will be missed and I wish him all the best in his retirement.”
As Major/Chief Deputy, Anderson has been responsible for monitoring budgetary and personnel matters as well as overseeing the daily operations of the Sheriff’s office. In the Sheriff’s absence he is responsible for many other duties associated with the office of the Sheriff.
He also works with the new hires and says he always gives them this advice: “Always do the right thing, even when it’s the hardest thing to do. Always treat all the people you encounter with respect. And always remain loyal to the Sheriff; remember you are representing him every time you step foot on the job.”
During his career, Major Anderson has received thousands of hours of law enforcement training. He has been awarded numerous medals, service awards, and commendations throughout his career including the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, Advanced Service Award, Officer of the Year, and the above mentioned Medal of Valor.
With the exception of the time Major Anderson spent away in military service, he has been a lifelong resident of Caldwell County.