Meet Eric
Your Candidate for Sheriff
Eric Southerland is a dedicated public servant and community leader from Warsaw, North Carolina, with over three decades of service in law enforcement and emergency response. A graduate of James Sprunt Community College, Eric's career has spanned a range of roles in Duplin County. Notably, as the Chief of Police in Warsaw, Eric honed his expertise in managing complex operations and overseeing departmental budgets, ensuring the effective use of taxpayer funds to enhance public safety and support the needs of the community. In addition to his work in public service, Eric was a small business owner, which further strengthened his experience in managing funds, adhering to budgets, and making sound financial decisions. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving public safety, fostering community engagement, and providing the highest level of service to the citizens of Duplin County. His leadership and passion for service have left a lasting impact on his community.
Read more about his accomplishments below!
A Career of
Proven Leadership
Senior Patrol Leader – Warsaw Troop 20 Boy Scouts
Captain – Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Post
Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief – Warsaw Fire Department
President – Duplin County Law Enforcement Association
Training Coordinator – Duplin County Sheriff’s Office
Chief of Police – Warsaw Police Department
Current President – North Carolina Law Enforcement Training Officer Association
Proven Leadership
1995-1996 – Deputy/Telecommunicator
1996-2002 – Patrol Deputy
2002-2006 – Detective CSI/Public Relations
2006-2007 – Detective Narcotics
2007-2008 – School Resource Officer
2008-2014 – Training Coordinator
2014-2020 – Warsaw Chief of Police
2016-Present – BLET School Director JSCC
29 Years of Service
Class of 1992 – James Kenan High School
Class of 2013 – Criminal Justice Associates Degree, James Sprunt Community College
Current – Law Enforcement General Instructor, Rapid Deployment Instructor, Firearms Instructor and Driving Instructor
Current – Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate with over 2,000 hours of Law Enforcement In-Service Training
Degrees and Certificates
President (Member Since 2005) – North Carolina Law Enforcement Training Officers Association
Member (2012-Present) – International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
President (Past) – Duplin County Law Enforcement Association
Board Member, Committee Chair (Past) – Duplin County Center for Leadership Development
Adjunct Instructor (Past) – North Carolina Justice Academy
Professional Involvement
1998 – Woodman of the World Recipient of the Lifesaver Commendation
Two-time Rotary Club Officer of the Year
2018 – Woodman of the World Recipient of the Community Leadership Award
Acomplishments
Mental Health, Service, and Strength:
My Story
Spending my career as a public servant, I know firsthand how the weight of trauma and stress can take a toll. Mental health is something many of us struggle with silently, but it doesn’t have to be faced alone. I want to share my story of living with PTSD and the journey I’ve been on toward healing. My hope is that by opening up, I can encourage others to know that it’s okay to not be okay — and that help, hope, and healing are possible.
Candidate Comparison
Leadership & Experience Matter!
On Friday, December 19, 2025, the Duplin County Board of Elections released the official list of candidates who have filed to run for your next Duplin County Sheriff.
If you’re new here, I’m Eric Southerland, and I’m running for Duplin County Sheriff because I care deeply about our community and have the experience to make a difference. I’ve served in law enforcement for 30 years, proven myself as a leader, and have the education and training needed to do this job well.
I’ve put together a clear side-by-side look at each candidate’s law enforcement experience, leadership, training, and education so you can see the facts for yourself. My hope is that you take the time to review it, ask questions, and make an informed choice about who will best serve our community.
Please take the time to share this information with others. March 3rd, 2026, is coming fast. Be informed, get involved, and make your voice heard! I’d love to hear from you if you have questions. I’m here to listen!