Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughtie received a sustained standing ovation at the Dec. 2, 2024 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting.

He had just received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Dare County board chairman and personal friend Robert L. “Bob” Woodard. The meeting room was packed with law enforcement officers from the county and incorporated towns, State Highway Patrol officers and federal law officers. The courts were represented by District Judge Robert Trivette, Clerk of Dare County Superior Court Dean Tolson and Jeff Cruden, district attorney for Judicial District 1.

Doughtie has been in law enforcement for 49 years. It will be over five decades of service when in retires in 2026.

His law enforcement career started in the Ahoskie Police Department. He then moved to the Duck Police Department and finally settled in the Dare County Sheriff’s Office. In his journey, he’s touched virtually every aspect of police work, including patrol, investigations and narcotics. He served as a school resource officer at First Flight High School. He retired as a lieutenant in 2006.

He ran for and successfully won the 2010 election for sheriff in Dare County and today continues to hold that office.

Notable achievements in his tenure are the establishment of Camp S.A.L.T, the Dare County Narcotics Task Force, and the Joint Agency Tactical Team. He has worked to foster collaboration with local police departments to enhance public safety.

In the community, he has coached baseball, basketball and soccer with Dare County Parks and Recreation for many years. He is active in his church.

In his tribute to Doughtie, Woodard said “his generosity and warmth are evident in his daily interactions with the community. He has always been dedicated to his open invitation to residents to contact him personally. He sends congratulatory cards to honor roll students.”

Woodard also reached out to Sen. Bobby Hanig with thanks for working with the Governor’s Office to get the award approved. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is signed by Gov. Roy Cooper.

Doughtie, in brief comments, said “I appreciate it very much.” He seemed particularly pleased with the law enforcement officers and judges who were present to celebrate the award with him.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!