[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 28 (Thursday, February 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





HONORING SHERIFF JAMES L. KNIGHT ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM 
                            LAW ENFORCEMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 2017

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my longtime friend 
and constituent, Sheriff James L. Knight as he retires at the end of 
February after serving 20 years as the top law enforcement officer for 
Edgecombe County, North Carolina and more than 33 years in law 
enforcement. Sheriff Knight is the first African American to serve in 
this position in Edgecombe County.
  James L. Knight was born on July 19, 1959 in the Town of Macclesfield 
and is the youngest of nine children born to Annie Mae and Willie W. 
Knight. He attended Living Hope Elementary School in Macclesfield and 
South Edgecombe High School in Pinetops where he graduated in 1977.
  After graduation, Mr. Knight enlisted in the United States Army and 
served as part of the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He 
was a model soldier and was awarded the Parachute Badge, Expert Badge 
M-16, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct 
Medal, and two letters of commendation. He was Honorably Discharged in 
1980 having earned the rank of Specialist E-4.
  Sheriff Knight began his law enforcement career with the Edgecombe 
County Sheriff's Office in July 1984 as a Detention Officer. He rose 
through the ranks serving first as Deputy Sheriff and later as 
Detective, where he remained until he was appointed Sheriff of 
Edgecombe County by the Edgecombe County Democratic Party Executive 
Committee in 1997, when then-Sheriff Phil Ellis resigned from the 
position. Sheriff Knight has faithfully served the people of Edgecombe 
County as Sheriff for the last 20 years and has been reelected to this 
office every four years since being appointed.
  Sheriff Knight manages more than 100 employees, including over fifty 
certified officers. Under Sheriff Knight's direction, these officers 
cover over 526 square miles and are charged with protecting nearly 
60,000 Edgecombe County residents.
  A dedicated public servant, Sheriff Knight implemented the D.A.R.E. 
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program within Edgecombe County 
Schools. D.A.R.E. is an officer-led series of classroom lessons that 
teaches fifth graders how to resist peer pressure and live productive 
drug and violence-free lives. There is no doubt that Sheriff Knight had 
a profound and positive impact on an entire generation of young people. 
His positive influence continues today.
  Sheriff Knight has always been known as a true public servant who is 
always eager and willing to serve. His long held goal has been to 
provide effective and efficient law enforcement service while building 
strong and trusting relationships with the citizens. He has certainly 
achieved that goal and so much more.
  Sheriff Knight's dedication to and impact in Edgecombe County is seen 
far beyond the walls of the Sheriff's Department. He has been a strong 
catalyst in improving and positively impacting the lives of Edgecombe 
County citizens. In recognition of his selfless work, Sheriff Knight 
has received numerous awards including the Citizen of the Year, James 
B. Hunt, Jr. Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Volunteer 
Services, and a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Law 
Enforcement.
  Sheriff Knight has served and continues to serve on several boards 
including the United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Governor's Crime 
Commission, National Sheriffs' Association, North State Law Enforcement 
Officers Association, and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association 
where he served as the President of the executive committee. He even 
proudly represented his community as an Olympic Torch Bearer in the 
lead up to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
  At every step along his storied life, Sheriff James L. Knight has 
been accompanied by his wife, the former Margaret Sharpe. The two were 
married on August 1, 1982. Together, they have two children, James Jr. 
and Jamina, and one grandson Jayden. They attend Anderson Chapel 
Baptist Church in Macclesfield where Sheriff Knight serves on the Board 
of Deacons.
  Mr. Speaker, Sheriff James L. Knight has dedicated his entire adult 
life to public service. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
the dedication and selflessness displayed by Sheriff Knight over more 
than 30 years first as a soldier, then as a Corrections Officer, Deputy 
Sheriff, Detective, and finally as Sheriff of Edgecombe County. While 
Sheriff Knight is deserving of far greater accolades from a grateful 
public, my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives 
join me in expressing our sincere appreciation for Sheriff Knight's 
hard work and sacrifice.

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