Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office is celebrating the distinguished careers of two valued employees as they reach retirement. Corporals Brad Johnson and David Scott each began their careers in public service in the early 1980s. Both men leave behind impressive legacies and will be deeply missed within the ranks of the Sheriff’s Office.
From an early age, Brad Johnson knew he wanted to protect vulnerable populations. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1984 and served for four years before joining the Siler City Police Department as a sworn officer. In 1999, Johnson took a position with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety as a Probation and Parole Officer, and later joined the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office family in 2002. Johnson found a home among his fellow staff members at the Sheriff’s Office and served with skill and conviction until his last day in uniform.
During his time at the Sheriff’s Office, Johnson consistently showcased his tireless work ethic and remarkable aptitude for connecting with people. He served across many different units, rising to particular acclaim during his time within the Domestic Violence Unit when he received the “Men for Change Award” from the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
During his career, Johnson earned the title of Certified Criminal Investigator and was awarded his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. He also served on the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard Team, graduated the Chatham County Leadership Academy, volunteered with Chatham County Communities in Schools as a Lunch Buddy, and continued to train and mentor new deputies for the remainder of his career.
“Brad has worked hard to reach this milestone in his career and deserves a great retirement,” says Chatham County Captain Chris Cooper. “I remember looking up to him and admiring his professionalism when I first joined the Sheriff’s Office. He was always compassionate and caring when working with victims. He is also very knowledgeable in the grant process and helped ensure the Sheriff’s Office received key resources to better serve the community.”
Other staff members imparted similar praise and shared their favorite memories of Johnson during his retirement ceremony on May 21, 2021, inside the Historic Chatham County Courthouse. It was an emotional farewell for all involved.
“I’m going to miss the people in this room,” Johnson said, as he stood before the group of his closest friends, family, and colleagues on his last day as a sworn deputy. “We are family. We’ve been through so much together and it’s been a pleasure working with you.”
David Scott attended Johnson’s ceremony and admitted he felt a similar sense of nostalgia and nervousness as he listened to Johnson’s farewell speech. His own retirement ceremony is set for July 6, 2021.
“I’ll miss the people—my coworkers and friends I’ve made over the years,” Scott says. “We have been together through the ups and downs, good and bad, but I’ve loved building those relationships and making memories. I feel honored to make it to this point in my career.”
Scott served 10 years in the Army National Guard, 28 years in law enforcement at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and 31 years as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with the Siler City Fire Department, where he retired at the rank of Captain.
As a dual-sworn deputy, Scott has worked in nearly every unit at the Sheriff’s Office. He was a founding member of the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard Team and has earned his Advanced Law Enforcement Certification as well as the Advanced Service Award. Scott is a member of the Law Enforcement Assistance Programs of North Carolina and Virginia, which provide support and resources to first responders in each state. He also teaches Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) courses—two areas of instruction that have grown in popularity among first responders in recent years.
CIT training promotes officer and community safety by preparing law enforcement to assist persons with mental health disorders or addictions as well as those in need of critical medical treatment in times of crisis. CISM training, also known as psychological first aid, is designed to help first responders cope with traumatic and highly-emotional events they may experience during their careers.
Scott knows the value of this training from personal experience as a survivor. He is the recipient of the Medal of Valor, one of the most revered symbols of honor and courage in law enforcement. Medals of Valor are only awarded for extraordinary heroism and bravery while engaged in law enforcement action; recipients’ actions must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set these individual apart from their peers. Scott has received the Medal of Valor not once but twice during his career with the Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s not every day you meet a true hero, but David is the real deal. You would never guess that he is so decorated because he is also infinitely humble,” says Lieutenant Sara Pack, who credits Scott with mentoring her from her very first day on the job. “David is a wonderful teacher and friend. He has spent a lifetime putting others ahead of his own wellbeing, and he deserves the respect, appreciation, and acknowledgement he has earned for his many years of service and sacrifice.”
“We hope the community will join us in wishing David and Brad long, happy, healthy retirements,” says Sheriff Mike Roberson, who admits such milestones are bittersweet moments for staff members. “We are excited and proud to see Brad and David reaching this point in their careers, but we are also sad to see them go. We will miss their leadership, their friendship, and their presence around the office, but their influence will remain in the hearts of the young men and women who have looked up to them for guidance through the years. Their contributions to Chatham County and the Sheriff’s Office will not be forgotten.”