Biography

Sheriff Garry L. McFadden is a distinguished thirty-seven-year veteran of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and a nationally recognized authority in law enforcement and community engagement. Over the course of his career, he served thirty years as a detective, including twenty-two years in the Homicide Unit, where he earned a reputation for his investigative excellence, integrity, and steadfast commitment to justice.

 

Following his retirement in 2011, Sheriff McFadden was immediately rehired by the City of Charlotte and assigned to the Office of the Chief, where he served in both the Community Relations Unit and the Dignitary Protection Unit, the latter of which he co-founded. In these roles, he played a pivotal part in advancing community-oriented initiatives that strengthened trust and transparency between law enforcement and the citizens of Charlotte.

 

In 2014, Sheriff McFadden partnered with three local barbers to establish Cops & Barbers, an innovative program designed to bridge communication gaps between police officers and the communities they serve. The initiative garnered national attention, was recognized by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and led to Sheriff McFadden’s invitation to the White House by President Barack Obama.

 

Throughout his distinguished career, Sheriff McFadden has been honored for his exemplary service and impact. In 2015, he was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Charlotte. His work and influence have been featured on prominent national platforms such as America’s Most Wanted, The First 48, The Justice Files, People Magazine, and 20/20. In 2016, the Investigation Discovery network premiered I Am Homicide, a three-season docuseries based on his most notable homicide investigations, making him the first African American law enforcement officer to have a nationally and internationally televised program. In 2023, he returned to Investigation Discovery with Good Cop – Bad Cop.

 

On May 8, 2018, Sheriff McFadden was elected as the first African American Sheriff in the history of Mecklenburg County, officially assuming office on December 4, 2018. He was re-elected to a second term on May 17, 2022. His leadership and contributions have been further recognized through numerous accolades, including Citizen of the Year by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (2020), induction into the HBCU Living Legends at Johnson C. Smith University (2021), and both the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in Community Service and the Presidential Award for Volunteering from President Joe Biden (2024).

 

Sheriff McFadden continues to serve on multiple state and national boards and committees, lending his expertise and vision to the continued evolution of modern policing. He’ dedicated to advancing public safety, justice reform, and community engagement. He currently serves as the National President of the National Black Sheriffs Association and holds multiple leadership roles within the National Sheriffs’ Association, including Board Member, Chairman of the IGNITE Program, and Member of the Legal Committee. Within the Major County Sheriffs of America, he represents thirteen states as a Regional Representative. In North Carolina, Sheriff McFadden contributes to the North Carolina Sheriff Association through the Training and Legislative Committees, and he serves as a Commissioner on the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission. Additionally, he plays a vital role in the American Correctional Association as Chairman of the Board of Governors for Detention Centers, Chairman of the Sheriffs’ Committee, and as a member of both the Performance-Based Standards and Behavioral Health Committees. Nationally, he also serves on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Faith-Based Security Advisory Council, where he continues to advocate for safer, stronger, and more inclusive communities. His career exemplifies leadership, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to public service and community empowerment.