Len Doughton Hagaman JR

Len “L.D.” Hagaman Jr. is the incumbent Sheriff of Watauga County, North Carolina, and is seeking re‑election as the Democratic candidate in the 2026 race for the office¹⁶. The sheriff’s role in North Carolina includes overseeing the county’s law‑enforcement operations, managing the detention facility, providing court security, serving civil processes, and coordinating emergency response and public safety initiatives for the county’s residents⁶.

A native of Watauga County, Hagaman graduated from Watauga High School before earning degrees from Wingate University and Appalachian State University⁹. He also served in the United States military, adding a veteran perspective to his public service career⁹.

Hagaman’s career in public safety spans more than three decades. He began as a Watauga County deputy and progressed through roles as patrol officer, juvenile officer, crime‑prevention officer, criminal investigator, and supervisor before being appointed major/police administrator for the Boone Police Department⁹. He later served as a certified law‑enforcement instructor for several community colleges and taught public‑administration courses at Appalachian State University⁹. Prior to his first election as sheriff, Hagaman held elected office as a Watauga County Commissioner and was the Town Manager of Boone, giving him experience in both law‑enforcement and municipal administration⁹.

First elected sheriff in 2012, Hagaman has now served for 12 years, winning three terms and running for a fourth in 2018⁹. During his tenure he has been recognized for innovative policing and community collaboration. In October 2023 he received the North Carolina Attorney General’s Dogwood Award for his leadership during the recovery from Hurricane Helene, noting his office’s welfare checks, rescues, and information‑sharing efforts⁷. He has also guided the department through tragic events, including the 2021 Boone shooting that claimed the lives of Sgt. Chris Ward and K‑9 Deputy Logan Fox; Hagaman publicly reflected on the loss and the department’s resilience a year later⁸¹².

Hagaman’s stated priorities as sheriff include tackling domestic‑violence, methamphetamine production, and substance‑abuse challenges that affect the county’s detention population. He highlighted the creation of a full‑time domestic‑violence officer and a dedicated unit, ongoing collaboration with state and federal task forces to dismantle meth labs, and a process to identify and treat individuals with substance‑abuse issues to reduce recidivism⁹. He also emphasized the importance of school‑resource officers and training to balance safety and educational environments⁹.

Residents can contact Sheriff Hagaman at the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, 184 Hodges Gap Road, Boone, NC 28607, by phone (828) 264‑3761 or email [email protected]⁶.

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