Gaston County Sheriff's Office

The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office is proud to recognize Sergeant Casey Tignor as the recipient of the Supervisor of the Year Award.
Sergeant Tignor is widely respected throughout the agency for his professionalism, leadership, dependability, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His impact is felt daily not only within the Sheriff’s Office, but throughout the Gaston County community.

As a supervisor, Sgt. Tignor serves as a steady and reliable foundation for countless operations across the agency. He coordinates and manages many of the Sheriff’s Office’s major events and also oversees the security operations of multiple county buildings. From retirement celebrations and promotional ceremonies to agency dinners and community gatherings, Sgt. Tignor consistently works behind the scenes to make sure every detail is handled with precision, professionalism, and pride.

Known for his exceptional work ethic and calm demeanor, Sgt. Tignor approaches every responsibility with focus and dedication. He is dependable, organized, and always willing to step up when needed. No matter the challenge or workload, he remains committed to supporting both the mission of the Sheriff’s Office and the people of Gaston County.

Those who work alongside Sgt. Tignor know him as a supervisor who leads by example. He treats others with patience and respect, offers support without hesitation, and consistently demonstrates the professionalism and integrity expected of a leader. His ability to manage multiple responsibilities while maintaining a high level of service is something many within the agency strive to emulate.

What truly sets Sgt. Tignor apart is his consistency. Time and time again, he is the person the Sheriff’s Office can rely on to find solutions, follow through, and keep operations running smoothly.

His leadership directly improves the efficiency of the agency and strengthens the quality of service provided to the community.
Sergeant Casey Tignor embodies the values of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office — professionalism, integrity, teamwork, dedication, and service to others. His leadership continues to make the agency stronger, more organized, and more connected to the community it proudly serves.

For his outstanding commitment, exceptional supervision, and lasting impact on this Office and Gaston County, Sergeant Casey Tignor is truly deserving of the Supervisor of the Year Award.

Some moments in law enforcement never make headlines, but they leave a lasting impact on the people involved.

Officer Christopher Gantt recently demonstrated the type of compassion, patience, and professionalism that reflects the very best of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.

After concerns were raised by the family of an inmate with autism who had limited interaction with loved ones due to custody restrictions, Officer Gantt took the initiative to help. Through consistent communication and genuine care, he built trust and rapport with the inmate, taking extra time to explain how to use the kiosk system and phone so communication with family could resume.

What may have seemed like a small gesture to some made a tremendous difference to a family who simply wanted reassurance that their loved one had not been forgotten.

The family later expressed their gratitude, sharing how much it meant to know their loved one was being treated with dignity, patience, and respect.

Officer Gantt’s actions are a reminder that professionalism in corrections goes beyond maintaining safety and security. It also involves humanity, compassion, and the willingness to treat others with decency, regardless of circumstance.

His dedication, character, and commitment to serving others are why Officer Christopher Gantt is so deserving of recognition.

For two decades, Telecommunicator Dena Cherry has been a calm and dependable voice behind the scenes for the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.

Dena brought years of experience with her when she joined the Sheriff’s Office from Gaston County Communications in 2005. Since that time, she has earned the respect of deputies, supervisors, and fellow telecommunicators through her professionalism, reliability, and unwavering commitment to those working in the field.

Long before becoming a supervisor, many deputies worked directly with Dena and quickly learned they could count on her. She consistently looked out for personnel on the road, managed difficult situations with composure, and worked seamlessly with every telecommunicator team across the agency.

Over the past year, when staffing shortages created additional strain on the night shift, Dena repeatedly stepped up without hesitation. On numerous occasions, she voluntarily came in to help cover overnight shifts, helping relieve pressure on team members and making sure operations continued without disruption.

Her willingness to serve others, even when it meant sacrificing her own time, speaks volumes about her character and dedication to the citizens of Gaston County.

The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office is proud to recognize Telecommunicator Dena Cherry as the 2025 Telecommunicator of the Year.

Congratulations, Dena, and thank you for your service, professionalism, and continued commitment to the citizens we serve.

Every agency has people whose work touches nearly every part of the organization, even when much of that work happens outside the spotlight.

For the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Allyson Wallace is one of those people.

Allyson plays a key role in keeping important administrative functions organized, accurate, and moving forward. From managing FMLA paperwork and maintaining our resource planning software to assisting with other high-level administrative responsibilities, she manages work that requires accuracy, confidentiality, patience, and a strong understanding of policy and procedure.

Her impact also reaches beyond daily operations. Allyson is often the person behind many of the events that bring our agency together, including retirement celebrations, promotional ceremonies, agency dinners, and other special gatherings. Her attention to detail helps make these moments meaningful for employees and their families, while also strengthening the sense of connection throughout the Sheriff’s Office.

Allyson is known for her professionalism, reliability, and steady approach, even when balancing multiple responsibilities at once. Staff members at every level rely on her because they know she will follow through, find answers, and help keep things running efficiently.

Her work reflects the values of service, teamwork, integrity, and commitment to excellence.

For her outstanding contributions, dedication, and steadfast support of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Allyson Wallace is being recognized as the 2025 Civilian of the Year.
Please join us in congratulating Allyson on this well-deserved honor.

Please join us in congratulating Deputy Weylan Purser on his retirement!

Deputy Purser, often referred to as "Eddie Van Weylan" due to his awesome guitar skills, started at the Gaston County Sheriff's Office in 2002. He is known for his calming demeanor and willingness to help anyone at any time.

You will truly be missed deputy Purser! Thank you for your service!

Leadership is often measured by the way someone responds when the workload increases, expectations rise, and others are counting on them. Captain Ben Reese has consistently answered that call.
As a Road Captain with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Captain Reese leads with professionalism, accountability, and a quiet commitment to putting others first. But his impact reaches far beyond his assigned responsibilities.
Throughout 2025, Captain Reese dedicated countless additional hours working 27 events, helping coordinate operations and supporting the safety of both the community and fellow personnel. He also serves as the lead for dignitary protection operations, overseeing security details for high profile public officials. These assignments demand precision, preparation, and trust, all qualities Captain Reese demonstrates consistently.

Captain Reese has also played a major role in launching and leading the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, helping build a program focused on protecting lives and assisting those in crisis situations.

Within specialized operations, he serves as the SWAT Sniper Team Leader, where discipline, composure, and sound judgment are essential. He also invests heavily in the next generation of deputies and detention officers as the Sheriff’s Training Officer Lead Instructor and fi****ms instructor, dedicating his time to mentoring, coaching, and preparing others for success.

Outside the Sheriff’s Office, Captain Reese remains active in the community through Victory Hill Baptist Church, continuing his commitment to serving others beyond his law enforcement career.
Captain Reese represents what servant leadership looks like. He leads with humility, places the mission and his team ahead of himself, and approaches every responsibility with integrity and dedication.

For his outstanding leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to service, Captain Ben Reese is the recipient of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office 2025 Phillip Maxwell Leadership Award.

The strength of any agency is found in the people who lead from the front and take care of those around them. Sergeant Michael McGinnis has built a reputation within the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office as someone his fellow employees can depend on during both routine operations and difficult situations.

Known for his loyalty, leadership, and steady presence, Sgt. McGinnis consistently checks on the well-being of those he serves alongside. When major incidents arise, he is often among the first to step forward, making certain employees are supported and operations remain organized and on track.

His leadership extends beyond supervision alone. Sgt. McGinnis has fostered a culture of trust and accessibility throughout the office, making it clear that his door is always open to anyone in need of guidance, support, or assistance.

For his professionalism, commitment to others, and continued dedication to the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Michael McGinnis is being awarded the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office 2025 Exceptional Duty Award for going above and beyond for the citizens of Gaston County.

Technology failures can bring operations to a standstill. This year, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office Information Technology Division proved exactly why their work is so important to the success of this agency.

The Information Technology Team was tasked with overseeing the complete removal, disconnection, documentation, secure storage, and reinstallation of critical technology infrastructure throughout the Sheriff’s Office. Computers, monitors, printers, and sensitive law enforcement equipment all had to be carefully managed while maintaining operational continuity and protecting important information systems.

This project required extensive coordination, organization, and precision. Entire office systems were temporarily shut down and transitioned while the team worked behind the scenes to keep disruptions to a minimum and maintain accountability for every piece of equipment involved.

The professionalism and efficiency displayed throughout this operation reflected the dedication and teamwork that define the Information Technology Division. Their efforts played a major role in keeping the Sheriff’s Office functioning effectively during a large-scale operational transition.

We also want to recognize Matt Wilkinson, who is not pictured, for being a critical member of the team and contributing significantly to the success of this project.

Congratulations to the Information Technology Division on receiving the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office Unit Meritorious Award and thank you for your continued service to Gaston County.

Recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and operational readiness are some of the most demanding responsibilities within any law enforcement agency, especially during a time when agencies across the country continue facing staffing challenges and increased competition for qualified applicants.

In 2025, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards met those challenges head on, successfully hiring 50 new employees while continuing to uphold the high standards expected of this agency. Through detailed background investigations, improved efficiency in the hiring process, and the implementation of a technology based hiring status tracking system, the team helped create a more organized and transparent process from application to onboarding.

The success of those efforts was also supported by the exceptional work of the Quartermaster group, whose professionalism and attention to detail helped keep operations running smoothly during a significant increase in workload. Their ability to process equipment, uniforms, and operational needs accurately and efficiently helped new employees transition into service without interruption.

The Office of Professional Standards demonstrated outstanding teamwork, dedication, and commitment to the professional standards of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office while continuing to support the mission of serving the citizens of Gaston County.

Please join us in congratulating the Office of Professional Standards on receiving the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office Unit Meritorious Award.

Some employees do their job well. Others make the people around them better.
Corporal Meagan Forbis has distinguished herself as a leader through her willingness to step in wherever needed and her consistent commitment to supporting the success of her team. Her leadership extends well beyond her assigned responsibilities, regularly assisting coworkers, helping train new hires, and serving as a trusted source of guidance and operational knowledge.

Corporal Forbis has become an active voice in the daily operations of her unit, contributing during shift briefings, identifying opportunities for growth, and helping reinforce accountability and awareness among those around her. She leads with professionalism, consistency, and a strong sense of responsibility to both her coworkers and the community.

Her actions reflect a genuine investment in the mission of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office and the continued development of those she works alongside every day.

For her exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to excellence, Corporal Meagan Forbis is being awarded the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office 2025 Philip Maxwell Leadership Award.

Please join us in congratulating Corporal Forbis on this outstanding and well-deserved recognition.