Title: McDowell County Sheriff · Republican In this role since: August 10, 2026 (sworn in as the county’s 26th sheriff after Ricky “Buck” Buchanan retired August 1; chief deputy under Buchanan since 2018; Paul Alkire is now chief deputy) (Fox Carolina · McDowell News, 2018) Current term ends: December 2030 Next voter decision: none: won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary with about 49% in a four-way race; “No Democrat filed to run for sheriff” (McDowell News)
Surveillance record
No public statement found on the Sheriff’s Office’s 8 Flock cameras, Marion PD’s 4, data sharing, drones, or ICE (as of Aug 22, 2026); the swearing-in coverage contains no quotes from him at all. He was chief deputy for the entire period the cameras were bought and run, so he knows the contract; the public does not (McDowell County). The office appears on Henderson County’s list of agencies with access to Henderson’s reads. No 287(g) agreement (ICE list, Aug 21, 2026).
The question for him
A new sheriff with no opponent and no record is the easiest official in the region to ask a first question: what did the cameras cost, who has access, and will he publish the audit? (What the Law Lets the County Do)
Region: McDowell County · Last updated: Aug 22, 2026