Leadership Through Experience

Mickey Lee Tillman

I was born and raised in Craven County. This is my home, and serving this community has been the guiding purpose of my life.

My commitment to public service began in the early 1990s as a volunteer firefighter for the City of New Bern, where I rose to the rank of Sergeant. That experience instilled in me the values of teamwork, discipline, and putting others before myself. Soon after, I felt a calling to serve in a different capacity. In 1994, I answered that call by becoming a sworn Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Pete Bland.

Over the next 26 years, I dedicated my career to the Craven County Sheriff’s Office. My law enforcement certification is currently held by Pamlico County Sheriff Chris Davis. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a simple belief: one person can make a difference. I have worked every day to be that difference.

I began as a Reserve Deputy, entrusted with the same authority and responsibilities as full-time deputies, simply without the paycheck. The experience was invaluable. I later served as a part-time Deputy and Bailiff, where I gained firsthand insight into the inner workings of our court system, working closely with judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys, and learning how justice is carried out beyond the patrol car.

After Sheriff Monette was elected, I was promoted to a full-time Deputy. During that time, a critical moment shaped my understanding of responsibility and accountability. While responding to assist another officer, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The lesson was clear: I could not help someone else if I was unable to help myself. I accepted the consequences, was reprimanded, and reassigned as a Detention Officer.

That reassignment became another powerful learning opportunity. I became a certified Detention Officer and gained a deeper understanding of the detention system and the people within it, from misdemeanor offenders to individuals with serious mental health challenges and those facing the most serious charges. I built a reputation for being firm but fair, learning that humility, humanity, and respect can often prevent conflict and lead to safer outcomes for everyone involved.

Just over a year later, I returned to duty as a Deputy, stronger, wiser, and more focused. I was honored with the opportunity to serve as Zone Deputy for the Vanceboro community. During this time, I furthered my training and became a certified Medical First Responder, allowing me to provide an added layer of service to the citizens I swore to protect. I didn’t just respond to calls for law enforcement, I also answered medical calls, offering help when it was needed most.

In 2000, I was promoted to Patrol Sergeant, assuming responsibility for leading and managing personnel with minimal supervision. My duties included work allocation, enforcement of internal procedures, and resolution of operational and personnel issues. I actively patrolled more than 700 square miles of Craven County while overseeing and maintaining a rotating shift schedule. Additionally, I reviewed daily reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with departmental regulations. I also served as a role model and mentor to junior officers, supporting their professional development and adherence to departmental standards. I held this position for a few years before being promoted to a Criminal Investigator.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

It didn't matter what day of the week it was...there was always a puzzle. I might be test firing weapons and submitting projectiles and casing to the NCSBI, or I could be processing items of evidence for DNA, fingerprints, or trace evidence.

Criminal Investigations and the Crime Lab (Investigator, Investigative Sergeant)

I owe a tremendous amount of credit during this period of my career to Ken Fillingame and Marshal Taylor (both deceased). Each of these men challenged and motivated me daily to become the best officer and leader I could be.

I am forever grateful for the opportunities provided by attending numerous specialized schools that tested me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through these experiences, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the finest minds in forensic science and from leaders at the forefront of forensic technology. As a result, I developed extensive expertise in proper evidence handling, as well as in the investigation of nearly every manner of death, ensuring thorough, accurate, and professional investigative outcomes.

During my time as a Criminal Investigator working in the Crime Lab and Evidence Control section of the Sheriff's Office I was also honored by members of The New Bern Civitan Club as Deputy Sheriff of the Year. I also took pride in being a member of the North Carolina Homicide Investigators' Association, a member of North Carolina Division of the International Association for Identification, and was certified to perform latent finger print comparisons.

I was always searching for the missing piece of the puzzle. That one piece of evidence that could either make or break the case. You definitely learn humility and compassion when you have to tell people you have found their missing friend or family member.

S.R.T. (Special Response Team)

I had the honor of serving as one of the founding members of the Craven County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team. One of my initial responsibilities was designing the team’s logo an emblem that, while slightly updated over the years, has retained its original identity and meaning.

During my service on the team, we trained extensively with both local and federal agencies. Our training included dynamic entry and breaching techniques, advanced firearms proficiency, coordinated team movement, and dignitary protection. This training proved invaluable during high-profile operations, including providing support during President Trump’s visit to New Bern during his first administration and relocating high-profile federal detainees to federal courts while assisting the U.S. Marshals Service. It also proved critical during the rapid relocation of more than 200 inmates from the old county jail to the new facility within a matter of hours. The operation was completed without incident.

I was frequently assigned the shield position, one of the most demanding and high-risk roles on the team. This position required protecting the team from the front during operations; I was often the first member through the door and the last to exit. I held deep respect for every member of this unit, trusted them without hesitation, and earned their trust in return.

I later served as Team Leader, a role that carried a significantly elevated level of responsibility. When operations were successful, the credit belonged to the team; when challenges arose, accountability rested squarely on my shoulders a responsibility I accepted with seriousness, humility, and pride.

Narcotics Investigations and Supervision (Investigative Sergeant, Investigative Lieutenant)

During my tenure working in and supervising narcotics investigations, I encountered a wide range of cases, from misdemeanor drug offenses to complex felony and federal investigations. While addressing street-level crime was necessary, our primary focus remained on dismantling larger criminal operations. We fought the “War on Drugs” through persistent local efforts that demanded patience, coordination, and unwavering commitment.

Through this work, I gained extensive experience in both state and federal court systems and collaborated alongside some of the finest law enforcement professionals in the field. I worked closely with numerous agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, ALE, NCSBI, the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, the U.S. National Guard, and officers from many local departments such as the New Bern Police Department, Trent Woods Police Department, River Bend Police Department, Bridgeton Police Department, Vanceboro Police Department, Jacksonville Police Department, Morehead City Police Department, Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office, Carteret County Sheriff's Office, and Onslow County Sheriff's Office.

As these joint operations expanded, a task force, C.N.E.T. (Coastal Narcotics Enforcement Team) was established to unify manpower, equipment, and budgetary resources, allowing for a more coordinated and effective approach to combating drug activity. Through this collaboration and sharing of information and resources, I learned that professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to mission accomplishment remain constant, regardless of whose jurisdiction you are operating within.

During this time, I also became a member of the North Carolina Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association (NCNEOA).

Criminal Patrol Lieutenant

This was one of the proudest and most honorable periods of my career. As a shift supervisor, first as a Patrol Sergeant and later as a Patrol Lieutenant, each of my shifts was the reason I rose each day to go to work. With God's grace and the men and women I served alongside, I was able to return home safely to my family at the end of every shift.

I never once doubted the capabilities, commitment, or limitations of any member pictured here. We were more than coworkers; we were family. There was never hesitation in carrying out any request I made, and their willingness to offer input and sound suggestions only strengthened our effectiveness. Together, we protected the citizens of this county without hesitation, reservation, or fear, and we did so with pride, honor, and integrity.

I firmly believed in treating the deputies under my command with respect and dignity, and in training upward. I ensured that each Sergeant was prepared to perform my duties in my absence, and in turn, each Sergeant trained the next officer to be ready for greater responsibility. This approach built organizational strength, promoted accountability, and fostered lasting camaraderie within the ranks.

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