‘Awesome leader’: Beloved Richmond County sheriff dies unexpectedly

RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — A community is asking for thoughts and prayers after its beloved sheriff was found dead inside his home.

Richmond County Sheriff James “Clem” Clemmons passed away unexpectedly while at home Thursday morning, according to county officials.

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“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend, Sheriff James “Clem” Clemmons, who passed away unexpectedly while at home this morning,” the county said in a Facebook post.

Clemmons was elected as the Sheriff of Richmond County in November 2010 -- making him the first person of color to be elected as sheriff in the county’s history.

“We will all miss him more than any words can express. He was not just our co-worker, but a great friend to all and an awesome leader in our community. Please keep our deputies, coworkers, staff and most of all Sheriff Clemmons’ family in your thoughts and prayers,” the Facebook post read.

Clemmons started his 35-year career in law enforcement as a patrol deputy at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in 1989. In 1991, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the detective division. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1997 and promoted again in 1998 to captain. He served as a captain in the Sheriff’s Office until 2002.

On July 7, 2002, Clemmons was promoted to the rank of major. He has the distinction of also being the first person of color to attain the rank of major in the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2020, he was sworn in as a member of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement under the Trump Administration, helping to explore modern issues affecting law enforcement.

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