Command Staff
The Command Staff is comprised of 10 people that work closely with the Sheriff to oversee the day to day operations of each division. The command staff meets each week to discuss departmental concerns, policy and procedure, finance-oriented issues, public relations, and any matters concerning the safety and well-being of the citizens of Duplin County.
Chief Deputy Phil Humphrey
Chief Deputy Phil Humphrey began working with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office in 1996 as a detention officer and also held assignments as a school resource officer, patrol deputy, undercover officer and detective. He was promoted to captain of investigations in November 2015 after serving 10 years as lieutenant in the same division. As captain, he oversees the criminal investigative division which incorporates the professional development section, crime scene investigations/evidence section and the criminal investigations section. In November 2018 he was promoted to Chief Deputy, he has over 20 years of investigative experience. Chief Deputy Humphrey has numerous hours of criminal investigation training, internal affairs investigations, and hostage negotiation training. He is a United States Army veteran having served in Operation Just Cause in Panama and also Desert Storm/Desert Shield in Iraq. He served as a sworn federal task force officer with US Homeland Security and Assistant Team Commander with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team. Chief Deputy Humphrey serves as the past president of the Eastern Carolina Association of Law Enforcement Executives. He also holds his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate issued through the NC Education and Training Standards Commission.
Captain Jason Brock
Administrative and Support Services
Captain Jason Brock began his law enforcement career with the Beulaville Police Department as a patrol officer in 2001. In July 2003, he was hired by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office as a full time patrol deputy. He was promoted to uniform patrol sergeant in 2004. In 2011, Captain Brock was promoted to first sergeant where his role changed along with administrative duties. He rose to the rank of lieutenant over the uniform patrol division in 2011. In July 2016, he was promoted to captain of the uniform patrol division. Captain Brock is enrolled in the Executive Management Program for Law Enforcement at Richmond Community College. He was awarded his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate issued through the NC Education and Training Standards Commission in March 2016. He is a member of the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. Captain Brock is also a United States Army veteran.
Captain Charles Weaver
Criminal Investigations/SRT
Captain Charles (Chuck) Weaver received an Associates Degree from James Sprunt Community College in 1994, from that he continued his education and received his Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University in 1996. In November 1997, Captain Weaver was hired as a full-time dispatcher for the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office. He was promoted to deputy in July 1999 and was assigned to the courthouse as a bailiff. In October 1999, he transferred to the patrol division. In July 2003, he was promoted to a narcotics detective. In 2004, Captain Weaver was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Task Force where he worked for two years. He was promoted to lieutenant of the patrol division in October 2006 where he worked for five years. In November 2011, he was transferred as the supervisor of the narcotics division. He is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. Captain Weaver has been serving on the Special Response Team since 2000 and currently serves as the commander. He received his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate through the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission in September 2008.
Lieutenant Delmas Highsmith
Court Security Section
Lieutenant Delmas Highsmith began his career with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer. Throughout his twenty years of service, he has served as a school resource officer and court bailiff. In March 2006, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant overseeing civil and criminal court operations. In July 2007, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant supervising court sessions, transportation, and court security. Lieutenant Highsmith has numerous hours of local, state, and federal judicial court security training. He is also is a proud member of the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.
Captain Denise Mitchell
Detention Center Division
In November 1999, Captain Mitchell began her career with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer. She attended James Sprunt Community College while working full time and received an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Captain Mitchell was appointed shift leader in June 2004 and was promoted to jail administrator in 2007. In October 2009, she received a certificate from the North Carolina Jail Administration for completing the required courses at Rowan/Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury, North Carolina. She also received an award from the National Guard for Employee of the Year for recognizing armed services employees. Captain Mitchell is a member of the North Carolina Jail Administrator Association and the American Jail Association. She is a lifetime member of the Criminal Justice Society Association.
Captain Scott Kennedy
Special Operations Division/SRO
Captain Scott Kennedy supervises the Administrative and Support Services division with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office which incorporates Administration, Support Services, professional standards, training and recruitment for the sheriff’s office. He has over 25 years of law enforcement experience. He served on the Wrightsville Beach Police Department for a majority of his career as a patrol officer, detective, internal affairs investigator and as a supervisor before becoming a special agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). He was assigned to the Coastal District of North Carolina and also served as a SWAT member with the SBI Special Response Team. He was also assigned to a Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He culminated his career with the SBI as an assistant special agent in charge in 2011. Captain Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Mount Olive. He is also a certified law enforcement instructor for the state of North Carolina. He was also awarded Officer of the Year in 2000. In 2002, he was awarded the highest decoration of bravery in law enforcement, the Medal of Valor. He received the Director’s Award from the SBI in 2004. He was also awarded his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate through the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Standards Commission in November 2004.
Captain Will Thurston
Uniform Patrol Division/Civil Division
Captain Thurston began his law enforcement career in 1994 as a Trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Upon Graduating from the 93rd Basic Highway Patrol School in 1995, he was assigned to work Duplin County. He served 9 years as a Trooper, 3 years as a Sergeant and 5 years as a First Sergeant in Duplin County. Upon his promotion to Lieutenant, Thurston held various positions across North Carolina and ultimately retired as a Lieutenant with the Special Operations Division of the Highway Patrol in February of 2022.
Captain Thurston is a graduate of Dixon High School and holds a Criminal Justice Degree from Coastal Carolina Community College. He is a 2016 graduate of NC State University’s Administrative Officers Management Program. He is a 2011 graduate of FBI-LEEDA Supervisory Leadership and is certified in Intermediate and Advanced Incident Command Systems by the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management.
In December of 2022, Captain Thurston began his service with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office by heading up the Uniformed Patrol Division and the Civil Division. Captain Thurston has pledged his commitment to leading these divisions with professionalism, integrity, transparency and respect. He is committed to enforcing the laws of this state and ensuring Duplin County is a safe place for all persons to live, work, and enjoy.
Lieutenant Jonathan Turner
Uniform Patrol Division/Civil
Lt. Jonathan Turner supervises the Civil Division and the Uniform Patrol Division at the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office. Lt. Turner began his career in 2010 with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office after completing Basic Law Enforcement Training at Lenoir Community College. During his career, Lt. Turner has served in the Uniform Patrol Division as a Deputy, Field Training Officer, Corporal, Sergeant, and Field Training Supervisor. Lt. Turner is a graduate of Liberty University, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Human Resource Management.
Lieutenant Shane Miller
Administrative and Support Services/Evidence
