Hoke County Sheriff's Office

06/22/2026

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞:

The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office front lobby will be closing at 12 noon on Friday, June 26th, 2026. Please call 911 if you need deputy assistance.
Thanks for your understanding.

06/22/2026

Update: Phone issues have been resolved

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞:

The Hoke County Sheriff's Office is currently experiencing phone interruptions, to include several county departments.
County government (IT) are working to resolve the issue, and we will provide updates as they become available.

Emergency services remain available. Please continue to call 911 for all emergencies.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

06/22/2026

𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Four years ago, on June 22, 2022, deputies with the Hoke County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of McGougan Road, which is located in the Lumber Bridge area of Hoke County, about a shooting.

Upon the arrival of responding, Deputies located both Anthony Davis and Jarel Robinson beside the roadway deceased. The cause of death was sustained from gunshot wounds for both victims.

If you have any information about this homicide, please call the Hoke County Sheriff's Office at (910)875-5111 or leave anonymous information on our 𝐓𝐢𝐩 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐭 (𝟗𝟏𝟎)𝟖𝟕𝟖-𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎 .

Please share with family, friends and let's help bring justice to both the Davis and Robinson families. 🕊🕊

06/22/2026

06/21/2026

Couldn’t let the day go by without showing our fathers our appreciation through lunch. Today, we honor the men who sacrificed time away from their own families to serve the citizens of Hoke County and help keep our communities safe.

Thank you to all the fathers, as well as the men and women in public service, for your dedication, commitment, and sacrifices each day. Your willingness to serve others does not go unnoticed.

May God continue to bless and protect you and your families. Happy Father’s Day!

Sheriff Virgil

06/21/2026

Today we honor the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures who lead with strength, integrity, and compassion. Thank you for the example you set in your homes and throughout our community.

The Office of Sheriff Virgil

06/19/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Raeford, NC - The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office announces on June 19, 2026, the Knightdale Police Department located the white 2021 Jeep Cherokee and Mary Chandler in their jurisdiction.

Ms. Mary Chandler was cooperative with law enforcement and told them where Ms. Catherine Peterkin was located. Ms. Catherine Peterkin was located by the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and Ms. Catherine Peterkin was not injured and doing fine.

The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office Detectives swore to a warrant on Ms. Mary Chandler for 2nd Degree Kidnapping of Ms. Catherine Peterkin. Ms. Mary Chandler was transported to the local jail in Knightdale, North Carolina. Ms. Catherine Peterkin Guardian was contacted and able to pick up Ms. Catherine Peterkin. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

06/19/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Missing Persons - Updated)

Raeford, NC - The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office announces on June 18th, 2026, that Mr. Wesley Purcell was last seen in the North Hilltop Road/North Duffie Road area in Hoke County. It is believed Mr. Wesley Purcell traveled from Raleigh North Carolina, in a gray GMC Sierra SUV to the Hoke County area. He may have a beard and be wearing glasses. His clothing type is not known.

The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have responded and canvassed the area where he was last seen. The investigation is still ongoing and is being investigated by the Hoke County Criminal Investigation Division.

On June 19, 2026, the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, the State Bureau of Investigations, and the Clinton Department of Public Safety went to the area of North Hilltop Road/North Duffie Road to continue searching for Mr. Wesley Purcell. During the search in the woods, Mr. Wesley Purcell was located and pronounced deceased on scene. The next of kin has been notified and the investigation is on-going at this time.

If you have any information in regards to the case, please call Detective Garvin with the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office at (910)875-5111. You may also call and leave an anonymous tip at (910)878-1100.

During an investigation, the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to ensuring that accurate and verified information is released to the public. Our goal is to provide transparency while avoiding the release of premature or misleading details that could interfere with the integrity of the investigation. The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as we continue to ensure that no misinformation is disseminated.

06/19/2026

In honor of Juneteenth, lobby offices of both the Hoke County Sheriff's Office & the Hoke County Detention Center will be closed today on Friday, June 19th, 2026.

Thanks you for your cooperation and understanding.

06/19/2026

𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Almost five years ago on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at 3:54AM Hoke County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to 364 Gatlin Farm Road, reference a shooting that had occurred. Ms. Erika Lavon McNatt was transported by EMS to Cape Fear Valley Main hospital in Fayetteville, NC where she died from her injuries. There were two other victims on the scene who were injured with non-life-threatening injuries.

If you have any information, please call the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office at (910)875-5111 or leave an anonymous tip on our 𝐓𝐢𝐩 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐭 (𝟗𝟏𝟎)𝟖𝟕𝟖-𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎. Please share with family and friends and let’s help bring justice to the McNatt family. 🕊️