Catawba County Sheriff To Seek Another Term

Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown has announced he will seek another term in office.  Brown was first elected as the sheriff of Catawba County in 2018. Brown told his staff that he was planning to retire at the end of his current term but recently changed his mind.

Three other people have intentions of running for Catawba County Sheriff in 2026, according to Catawba County Board of Elections records.

Brookford Police Chief Willie Armstrong, former Catawba County Deputy J.D. Slape and William Propst have campaign committees for the 2026 election.
N.C. State Highway Patrol First Sgt. Bobby Lineberger was a fourth person intending to run for sheriff. Following Brown’s announcement, Lineberger said he would bow out.

Brown said his current goal for the sheriff’s office is to receive accreditation from the state. The state accreditation process is new for law enforcement agencies. The program began in 2023, according to the North Carolina Department of Justice. Brown said the sheriff’s office should complete the process before the election next year.