Sheriff Jimmy Thornton

06/16/2026

The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Lt. Col. Dave Grossman for joining us in Clinton, North Carolina, to present the Bulletproof Mind & Safe Schools Training Course as part of the Sampson County Schools SRO Wellness and Resilience Academy.

This outstanding training brought together representatives from 24 agencies and dedicated School Resource Officers from across the region who share a common mission: protecting our schools, supporting our students, and serving our communities.

Our SROs play a critical role not only in maintaining school safety but also in building positive relationships with students, mentoring young people, and helping create an environment where learning can thrive. The knowledge, skills, and resilience gained through this training will strengthen their ability to meet those responsibilities each day.

We are grateful for the opportunity to host this event and thank all participating agencies and attendees for their commitment to professional development, preparedness, and excellence in service.

A special thank you to Sampson County Schools and Andrea Rouse for their partnership and support in making this training possible. Together, we remain committed to providing safe and secure learning environments for the students, staff, and families of Sampson County.

06/10/2026

In conjunction with the ATF’s announced reward, the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office is offering an additional $2,500 toward the investigation of the recent homicide at 58 Darion Ln. Turkey, NC on May 20, 2026, and other shooting incidents that have occurred at other locations in Sampson and Duplin Counties in recent weeks.

As a result, collectively a total reward of up to $7,500 is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (tel:1-888-ATF-TIPS) (888-283-8477 (tel:888-283-8477)) or the Sampson County Sheriff's Office 910-592-4141.

06/04/2026

https://www.clintonnc.com/news/113179/serving-the-people

Newly appointed Sampson County Sheriff’s Capt. Kevin Perry has a career with the department that spans decades, one that has earned him multiple state and national accolades.

06/04/2026

The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office is proud to partner with Miss Sampson County, a local special education teacher and advocate, to bring Special Needs Occupant Stickers to our community.

These stickers are designed to help first responders quickly recognize that an occupant of a home or vehicle may have unique communication, sensory, mobility, medical, developmental, or other special needs. This information can assist emergency personnel in providing the most appropriate care, understanding, and support during emergency situations.

Our goal is to help ensure every member of our community is treated with the compassion, patience, and attention they deserve when first responders arrive on scene.

Special Needs Occupant Stickers are available free of charge and may be picked up at the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

We appreciate Miss Sampson County’s dedication to serving others and helping make Sampson County a safer community for all.

05/13/2026

Thank you to the members of Piney Grove Baptist Church WMU for taking the time to bring snacks to our law enforcement and detention staff. It was a thoughtful and humbling gesture during National Police Week.

We are truly blessed to have the support of caring churches, businesses, civic groups, and citizens throughout our community who continually take the time to recognize and encourage our staff. Your kindness and support mean more than you know.

05/12/2026

I continue to be proud of the strong state and federal partnerships we have and the hard work these men and women do each day to remove criminals from our communities and help keep our citizens safe.

https://www.clintonnc.com/news/breaking-news/112910/local-drug-bossgets-50-years?fbclid=IwVERDUARwZZ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEewZd83MHkUcpscdji7lHCYXTW2yJhbX2rm6fAEGvr9Zz1HVl_KnTaYwThDNU_aem_gAH47m0KfvXS-nKlwXBtdA

RALEIGH – A convicted drug dealer from Sampson County will face 50 years in federal prison thanks to a sentence handed down in federal court Tuesday, removing, law enforcement officials say…

05/11/2026

During National Police Week, we honor the men and women of law enforcement who serve and protect our communities each day, and we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

We are grateful for the courage, dedication, and commitment shown by law enforcement officers here in Sampson County and across our nation. Please continue to keep law enforcement officers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

04/13/2026

During this week, we proudly recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week and honor the dedicated men and women who serve as the voice behind the headset and telephone.

Our Telecommunicator’s are the initial first-responders—calm, steady, and professional in the most critical moments. They are the lifeline between our community and emergency services, providing reassurance to those in crisis while ensuring our deputies, officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel have the information they need to respond effectively.

Their work often goes unseen, but it is never unappreciated. Every call answered, every radio transmission, and every decision made has a direct impact on saving lives and keeping our community safe.

On behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, we extend our sincere gratitude to our Communications Center staff for their commitment, professionalism, and service to the citizens of our county.

Thank you for all that you do—today and every day.

This week, we celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, honoring the calm voices behind the chaos and the unseen heroes who answer the call when it matters most.

Here in Sampson County, we have dedicated 911 telecommunicators serving our community 24/7 with professionalism, compassion, and commitment. They provide critical support in all emergencies, dispatch responders, and offer reassurance in crises. Their work may go unseen, but its impact is felt daily across our county.

To our Sampson County 911 telecommunicators, thank you for your dedication to keeping our citizens and responders safe.

04/12/2026

UPDATE: 04/13/2026
LOCATED

On 4/13/2026, deputies responded to the area of Butler Island Road after receiving a report from a citizen who believed they had observed Frankie Faircloth near a wooded area behind a residence. Upon arrival, deputies began searching the area and subsequently located the subject behind a residence. Frankie Faircloth was immediately taken into custody without incident.

Faircloth is now being processed and served with outstanding warrants for:

F - FIRST DEGREE ARSON
F- ATTEMPTED MURDER
F - FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY
F - ASSAULT SERIOUS BODILY INJURY
M- MISD CRIME OF DOM VIOLENCE



Wanted for Attempted Murder:

Last night, at approximately 10:00 pm, 911 received a call regarding a structure fire and an injured female at a 719 N. Pine St. Roseboro, NC.

Deputies and firefighters arrived on scene and identified a female victim, Courtney Witschger, 36 of Roseboro, suffering from burns to approximately 2/3 of her body. The victim stated that a male, by the name of Franklin Faircloth had forced his way into her home and doused her in gasoline, then set her on fire. The suspect then fled the scene on a gray and red bicycle.

The victim was transported to an undisclosed trauma center to be treated for injuries sustained during the incident.

The scene was processed by the fire marshals office and the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office. After consulting the district attorney’s office, charges were obtained on Faircloth for:

F - FIRST DEGREE ARSON
F- ATTEMPTED MURDER
F - FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY
F - ASSAULT SERIOUS BODILY INJURY
M- MISD CRIME OF DOM VIOLENCE

At this time, the suspect Franklin “Frankie” Paul Faircloth, 29 years old, white male has NOT been located. Frankie is believed to be homeless and possibly still in the Roseboro area.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding Frankie’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 910-592-4141.

04/08/2026

On April 6, Sign and Awning Systems, Inc. of Dunn generously took the time to provide a meal for members of the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Police Department, Clinton Fire Department, and other first responders.

This act of kindness was done in appreciation for the service these men and women provide to the citizens of Sampson County each and every day.

We are truly grateful for this thoughtful gesture and for the continued support from such a great business and its owners, Jason Honeycutt and Brandon Johnson. Partnerships like this are what make our community strong.

God bless this business and all of our first responders.