Sheriff Jim Pendergraph announced today that he is retiring from his post as Mecklenburg County Sheriff effective December 1st. Sheriff Pendergraph has accepted a Senior Level position with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Washington, D.C.Pendergraph was elected Mecklenburg Sheriff in 1994 and was serving his fourth elected term when he accepted the ICE position. As Sheriff, Pendergraph led more than 1,400 law enforcement and support staff with a budget of more than $100 million.
Under Pendergraph’s leadership, Mecklenburg County was the first law enforcement entity on the East Coast to have officers certified for 287 g authority, allowing them limited immigration authorities resulting in the identification of nearly 3,000 criminal illegal aliens that were placed in removal proceedings.
Pendergraph's dedication to law enforcement began as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army before becoming a police officer with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department where he was employed for 23 years and rose to the rank of Deputy Chief. Links: Retirement Announcement & ICE Announcement