Sheriff Tim Wright

 Sheriff Wright's law enforcement career began in October 1994 with the Tryon Police Department, where he served as a Police Officer assigned to patrol. During his tenure, he completed several specialized training programs, including the Criminal Investigators Certificate Program through the North Carolina Justice Academy, Basic Clandestine Laboratory Investigator training, Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings, Prevention of and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents, Basic SWAT training, the Basic Instructors Course, and the Advanced Firearms Instructor Course.

His accolades include being named Officer of the Year, receiving the Law Enforcement Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a citation from the Region C Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission, and a Life-Saving Award.

Throughout his time at the Tryon Police Department, Sheriff Wright rose through the ranks from Corporal to Sergeant, then Lieutenant, and finally Captain. He served as the department’s Field Training Officer and Supervisor, where he was responsible for the development, revision, and implementation of the Field Training Program.

Additionally, Sheriff Wright was a member of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT), serving as a "Breacher." He has led investigations into serious crimes such as murder, rape, and drug offenses, collaborating with federal, state, and local agencies both within and outside Polk County, resulting in numerous convictions at both federal and local levels.

As a specialized firearms instructor, Sheriff Wright provided in-service training to officers throughout Polk County. He graduated from the 2014-2015 session of the Distinguished Law Enforcement Executive Program at North Carolina State University and has taught Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) courses and Criminal Justice classes for students pursuing associate degrees at Isothermal Community College, as well as local students at Polk County High School.