A lifelong resident of Brunswick County, Sheriff John Ingram has nearly two decades of law enforcement experience in southeastern North Carolina, including 14 years in his home county.
His first stint with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office began in 1991 as a Patrol Deputy. He worked his way through the ranks with the Warrant Division, Detective Division and Narcotics Division.
Sheriff Ingram was promoted to the rank of lieutenant of the Narcotics Division in 1999 and was responsible for the supervision of seven narcotics agents. During his tenure as lieutenant, the division conducted thousands of illegal drug investigations, resulting in hundreds of arrests and convictions.
Sheriff Ingram also served as SWAT Team Commander from 1998 to 2004. During that time, he received hundreds of hours of tactical training.
Shortly after resigning from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office in 2004, Sheriff Ingram joined the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office as lieutenant in charge of the Narcotics Division.
He was promoted to Chief Deputy in 2006 and remained in that position until 2007, when he resigned to help with his family’s landscaping and nursery business.
On April 7, 2008, Sheriff Ingram was appointed Chief Deputy of the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. He was sworn in as Sheriff of Brunswick County on May 19, 2008.
Said Sheriff Ingram, “I truly care about Brunswick County and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. I feel that we have a great Sheriff’s Office with great employees that truly care about our citizens.”
A 1987 graduate of West Brunswick High School, Sheriff Ingram received his initial law enforcement training at Southeastern Community College and Brunswick Community College.
He has received additional training through the Public Agency Training Council, North Carolina Justice Academy and United States Department of Justice.
He has completed the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 80 Hour Basic Narcotic Investigators School and Drug Unit Commanders Academy, among other courses.
Sheriff Ingram’s accolades include the 2001 North Carolina Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association’s Narcotics Officer of the Year and a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg for outstanding support during Exercise Pantano Verde.