Someone made mention the other day “Just wait until they start digging into his past in law enforcement. “ So instead of the normal Monday musing where I provide my stand on issues or how I intend to change and move the department forward, I will go over my career in law enforcement.

The first time I put on a police officer uniform was as a reserve officer for the city of Cahokia, IL. It was a non-paid position as most reserve positions are. I did this from 1975 to 1979. It was my first exposure to law enforcement and found I thoroughly enjoyed it. Left that department as a Sergeant.

My next time in uniform was with the Department of Public Safety, Agana, Guam. I began that stint in 1981 after graduating from an 8 month police academy. I was certified to patrol by myself and averaged 20 to 30 hours a week. I worked the majority of my time as a Traffic Officer investigating DUI’s and traffic crashes. I also spent a short time with the horse mounted unit! While in the traffic unit, I participated in an investigation looking for several suspects wanted in a number of homicides which included the death of one officer. I was part of the team that located them and during the standoff, one officer was shot multiple times. My efforts to save the Officer resulted in me being awarded the Silver Star for bravery. I was promoted to Lieutenant and was in charge of training for reserve officers. I left that position in 1983. And once again it was non-pay!

Then, in 1991 I went to the Reserve Officer academy in Jacksonville Florida. I continued the reserve status through January 1993. While a Reserve Officer, I was awarded a commendation from the Fire Department for my efforts in saving a man from a burning car. Again, this was a non-pay status.

I attended the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy in Jacksonville, starting in August 1992 and graduating in January 1993. I was hired by the City of Jacksonville Beach as a paid reserve officer for about 90 days, enough to complete my field training. I was then hired to work full time. I worked for Jax Bach PD until September 1995. As an officer with that department, I voluntarily took on an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a serial killer by the name of Gary Ray Bowles. I ended up with an awful lot of attention from people across the country as well as a segment on “America’s Most Wanted” and a commendation.

I was hired by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in September 1995 and stayed there until I retired in June 2014. As an Officer there, I worked in Patrol, the Community Policing Unit (COPS), Burglary, Gang Unit, Economic Crimes and the Aggravated Battery unit within the Homicide division. However, the majority of my career was with the Narcotics Unit. I was first assigned there in 1998 and left in 2012. While in Narcotics, I worked everything from buying drugs from low level drug dealers to purchasing kilograms to extremely complicated investigations involving wire taps as well as federal prosecutions. I also worked as a DEA Task Force Officer for about a year. I had much success in making entry and arrests in areas and organizations where others had failed. While at the Sheriff’s Office, I was awarded Officer of the Month three times and Officer of the Year once. Each time, I was selected out of a department of approximately 1700 officers. Oh, and I am frequently seen on the television show “COPS” in reruns!

Sorry for the length, but I wanted to give you a snapshot of the highlights of my career. I am extremely well qualified to be the next Sheriff of Macon County and look forward to discussing my vision to move it forward.

10/31/21

I want to take this Monday Musing to remind people of my career and experience.  I will hit the highlights to make it a bit more concise.

1972-1992

U.S. Navy.

-  Retired as Chief Petty Officer.

- PNC(SW) (Personnelman with Surface Warfare Qualifications)

-  Among numerous commendations, I also discovered an error which

 led to a corrective action by the US Navy resulting in an this sailors being given a promotion previously denied to him by US Navy. 

- After studying an administrative procedure being performed by the entire U.S. Navy Recruiting Command I recommended a change and a new form resulting in cost savings to the Navy.

-  Awarded a Secretary of the Navy commendation for rescue of man in burning car (Reserve Officer - JSO)

1976-1979

Reserve Police Officer for the City of Cahokia, IL.  

- Non-paid position and completely volunteer.

- Attained the rank of Sergeant.  

- Resigned due to transfer by U.S. Navy.

1981-1983

Reserve Police Officer for Department of Public Safety, Agana, Guam.   -  A non-paid volunteer position.   After completing an 8 month police academy, I was certified to patrol alone)

-  Police Academy 1981

  -  Traffic Officer.  Breathalyzer certified.  Responsible for investigating DUI’s and traffic crashes.  

-  Mounted Patrol.

-  Awarded Silver Star for bravery.  

-  Assisted in investigation locating several suspects wanted in a number of homicides which included the shooting death of one Officer and two officers shot and wounded.  

-  Attained the rank of Lieutenant.  I was in charge of training for reserve officers.  

-  Resigned due to transfer by U.S. Navy.

1991-1993

Reserve Police Officer for City of Jacksonville, Florida.  

-  A non-paid volunteer position.

- Awarded a commendation from the Fire Department for my efforts in saving a man from a locked and burning car.  

-  Resigned for full time employment as law enforcement officer. 

8/92-1/93

Basic Law Enforcement Training, Jacksonville Community College.

- Class Leader

4/93-6/93

Reserve Police Officer with the City of Jacksonville Beach, Florida.  

-  Worked in a part time paid position while I completed Field Training.  

-  Resigned reserve status to serve full time.

6/93-9/95

Police Officer, City of Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

-  Patrol Officer

- Certified Radar Officer

- Evidence Technician

-  Awarded commendation for locating a homicide suspect.  I was not assigned the responsibility to locate him and it was done in my spare time.  Ended up being serial killer Gary Ray Bowles.  

-   Resigned to accept job with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville, Fl.

9/1995-6/2014

Police Officer with the City of Jacksonville, Florida.  (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office)

-  Areas worked:

- Patrol

- COPS Community Policing Unit

- Narcotics (14 years of my career)

- Street Level Squad

-  Major Case Squad (Violent Crimes Task Force)

- DEA Task Force Officer

-  Gang Unit

-  Economic Crimes (Food Stamp Fraud)

- Burglary

- Scrap Metal Task Force

-  Homicide 

-  Aggravated Battery Unit

-  Numerous commendations.  Among them:

-  Selected as The department Officer of the month on three different occasions.  (Approximately 1700 Officers)

-  Selected as Officer of the Year once.

- Retired.

2/2019-6/2021

In-service Training Coordinator at Southwestern Community College/Public Safety Training Center, Franklin, NC

- Obtained North Carolina General Law Enforcement Instructor Certificate.

-  Resigned to campaign to be your next Sheriff.  I felt it was a conflict of interstate (interest) to, continue (in this position while campaigning) working there.

5/2019-Present

Part Time law enforcement instructor for NC Basic Law Enforcement Training and the federal National Park Service.

- Typically teach:

-  Narcotics and Contraband

-  Courtroom testimony

-  Ethics

-  Occasionally teach interviewing.  

12/2022 - Sheriff Macon County, NC (with your help)!

11/15/21

8/30/21

Questions for all of the Sheriff candidates. 

How many years of experience do you have arresting drug dealers? 

For my entire 22 years of Law Enforcement experience I have concentrated on ridding my areas of responsibility of drug dealers.  However I was an undercover Narcotics Detective for 14 years.  One assignment within that 14 years Was as a DEA Task Force Officer.  For several more years I worked hand and hand with two DEA squads.  During that time I began by working on the corner dealers purchasing small amounts of cocaine and heroin and the occasional marijuana.  I eventually worked up to conducting hand to hand drug purchases of large amounts of heroin as well as kilogram amounts of methamphetamine.  Additionally have conducted historical drug investigations for federal prosecution as well as complicated wire tap investigations.  

How many years of experience do you have 

Interacting with confidential informants?

Beginning when I was in patrol in Jacksonville Beach and continuing on to my tenure with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office I developed informants for a total of twenty two years.  I have had some good ones and some bad ones and some I had to rearrest for continuing to deal drugs.  I typically kept a small core of really good informants who have provided information on everything from locating kidnap victims, homicide suspect identification, shooting suspects, assassination plots, public corruption, international drug traffickers, food stamp fraud traffickers and of course local drug dealers.

How many years of experience do you have as an undercover narcotics officer? 

I have approximately 14 years working undercover Narcotics.  Additionally, I have about one year working undercover food stamp fraud investigations and my last undercover deal I did was as a purchaser of over 100 catalytic converters.  I have a total of approximately 16 years working undercover.  

How many years of experience do you have compiling identifying information on suspects charged with selling narcotics? 

For about 20 years I worked consistently towards identifying drug houses and the dealers who ran them as well as major trafficking organizations.  My last couple years was in the homicide unit where I spent the same effort identifying shooters. 

How many years of experience do you have developing plans on how to catch the suspect?

I was a Detective for 16 years.  I was responsible for developing a plan to  ensuring a good case, arrest and prosecution of the suspect.  

How many years of experience do you have gathering, verifying and assessing all appropriate and available information? 

While in the U.S. Navy, I was occasionally tasked with investigating complaints of disciplinary violations  by young sailors.  It was my job to either prove or disprove the violations.  Once I was hired as a Law Enforcement Officer my entire time was spent developing cases either proactively or as a result of an assignment.

How many years of experience do you have maintaining surveillance of suspects to detect their habit of working?

One thing I enjoyed was conducting surveillance of targets.  I was able to really home my skills one I was assigned in the Narcotics Unit.  I did that for 14 years.  While there I utilized every form of surveillance available to me (physical and electronic).

How many years of experience do you have selecting the undercover officers best suited to contacting the suspect and purchasing narcotics?

I occasionally had to select another undercover officer to conduct the purchase of drugs.  This would usually be as a result of me not fitting the typical customer description.  I did this over the period of 14 years I  was in Narcotics.

How many years of experience do you have submitting written reports containing charges, available facts and evidence to authorize getting a search warrant or wire tap? 

I have approximately 9 years conducting wire tap investigations.  I was the affiant on approximately 99 separate applications for authorization to conduct wire intercepts.  These resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in seizures of cash, cars and jewelry.  Seizures of many kilograms of drugs (heroin, meth, pills and cocaine).    Well over a hundred firearms and hundreds of arrests.

How many years of experience do you have participating in and conducting raids searches  or arrests?  

I conducted one while an officer in Jacksonville Beach and hundreds as an officer and detective with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office either as an affiant or participant.  Total of approximately 20 years.

How many years of experience do you have appearing in court as a witness for the narcotics work you performed? 

I have testified in court in reference to narcotics hundreds of times.   I have testified in both state and federal court.  I was determined to have been an expert witness in state court in the following areas:  drug terminology, street level drug operations and drug forfeitures.  

How many years of experience do you have instructing a team of other detectives or police officers? 

In my 14 years as a Narcotics Detective, I trained many other Detectives and a few DEA agents.  Additionally I had at least two FBI agents, an FDLE agent and an NCIS agent work with me to learn how to conduct wire tap/drug investigations. 

If you don't have any experience in the above listed questions, what is your plan to rid Macon County of the drug dealers? 

I plan to use every tool in my tool box of 22 plus years experience to reduce drug crime in Macon County.  There is very little that I have not done so when I have a less experienced Detective/Deputy assigned to a narcotics investigation I am able to provide guidance on tactics to utilize.  Additionally, I agree with one of my opponents when he said Sheriff’s don’t actually do drug investigations.  But he does need to be able to recognize when not enough has been done.  As Sheriff I will bring to the table a very deep field of experience in combating the drug issue.  Each drug dealer or drug location will in all likelihood require a different tactic depending on the facts of the case.  There is no one size fits all approach.  I will do what a Sheriff is supported to do.  I will guide, instruct and motivate my Detectives/Deputies to think outside the box and utilize every tool they have to solve the issue.  My job is to get them the tools they need to do the job!   The important thing as the Sheriff is to know what tools are necessary to do the job.

The above is the difference between my opponents and someone who has been leadership tested and experience proven!  

08/07/21

11/08/21

Answer

Answer

• Yes. I have worked as an undercover Narcotics Detective and made drug buys where I actually handed a drug dealer money to purchase narcotics. Sometimes, tens of thousands of dollars.

  While it is difficult to estimate the number of times I made the purchases, it is easily over a thousand or more times during my 14 years. I frequently made multiple purchases from the same suspect. I personally have purchased anything from $20.00 worth of drugs to tens of thousands dollars worth of drugs.

  As a Sheriff, I certainly will not be making the drug purchases personally. However, my experience provides me the unique qualifications to be able to make recommendations on drug investigation tactics that are based on a solid history of experience. I understand trends and the need to try different tactics to accomplish the task at hand.

  I am the only candidate with the experience of dismantling drug organizations. I am the only candidate with experience this deep. Only by imparting my experience and training my deputies will we start to make a dent in this epidemic. Only someone who understands the drug trade will be effective. What we have tried has not worked. Let’s try something different.

  As I walk around our beautiful county, I am constantly told about complaints being made and no investigations being conducted. I will change that.

  I have seen the destruction up close and personal that drug abuse can cause to families. That is why I will make drug investigations a top priority as the Sheriff of Macon County.
• Kimberly M Sheffield

  Talking about the drugs issues how many candidates have actually done training with K9 units? And how many actually have experience with K9 units when it comes to the drugs issues? And do you as canidates feel that K9s units are indeed a huge important part of the war on drugs to keep the K9s units funded and going?

   
  • Bob Cook for Sheriff

    Kimberly M Sheffield question number one: While this may not be the intent of your question, it is the question. I have never been a K9 handler, however I have been in a bite suit to assist with training. I could play word games and simply say that I have been involved or associated with K9 training, but that would be disingenuous.

    Question two: I wish I could tell you how many times I utilized a K9 in the course of my Narcotics investigations. There are way too many to count. I did not hesitate to utilize them to assist in searching for drugs in a car or during the service of a search warrant.

    Question number 3: I feel that K9s are an important tool. (Huge would be a bit over stated). They are a tool to be utilized like any other tool we have at our disposal. They are to be utilized to minimize the danger to a human Officer.

    And while the funding portion of your question was incorporated into another one I would like to answer that separately. I absolutely plan to maintain the Macon County Sheriff’s Office K9 program. I don’t see the need to add to the unit at this time. However, I will listen to arguments for that to occur. It takes time, lots of time, to get a new K9 trained and qualified. As such, I could see us having an extra one in the event something happens to one of the patrol animals.
  •  
  • 11/8/21

  Question for all current and future Sheriff candidates.

  All of the candidates, at one time or another have referred to their drug investigation experience in their campaign and SOME have referred to the drug problem in Macon County as an "Epidemic" and the "Plague".

  My question is: Approximately how many times and/or years have you conducted the following types of drug investigation work?

  1.) Conducted undercover drug buys and identified suspects?

  2.) Planned, organized and executed search warrants?

  3.) Wrote, planned and executed state search warrants?

  4.) Planned, organized and executed wire tap investigations?

  5.) Managed narcotics information?

  6.) Responded to complaints of drug activity and conducted investigations to determine validity?

  7.) Wrote arrest warrants, planned and executed suspect arrests?

   

  Answer:

  Robert W. Cook

  The answer to nearly all of those questions would be in the hundreds. As a result, I was determined to be an expert by the courts in Florida in the areas of Drug Terminology, Street Level Drug Operations and Drug Asset Forfeitures. The number of arrests I have made for Narcotics is easily over a thousand.

  The only one less than that for me would have been wire tap investigations. I was the affiant (lead detective) on 99 separate telephone facilities. Each one requires it’s own probable cause.