Union County Sheriff's Office, Monroe, NC

10/20/2026

EXPANDING PROJECT LIFESAVER.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to expand its Project Lifesaver program through specialized training designed to better serve and protect some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Project Lifesaver is a public safety program that assists in locating individuals who may wander due to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autism, or other cognitive disorders. Participants wear a small, personalized tracking transmitter that emits a unique radio frequency signal. If an individual goes missing, trained personnel can use specialized tracking equipment to help locate them as quickly as possible.

For families and caregivers, the program provides an additional layer of safety and peace of mind, knowing that resources are in place should a loved one wander and become lost.

As we expand this program, our deputies are receiving the training necessary to strengthen our response capabilities and better assist families throughout Union County. Every minute matters when a vulnerable individual goes missing, and preparation can make a critical difference.

If you feel you have a loved one that would benefit from this program we would love to talk to you further and see where we can help. For any questions about the program please call 704-292-2654 or follow the link below.

Project Lifesaver | Union County, NC - Sheriff

10/20/2026

Road Closure

During your morning commute please note that Southbound Potter Road at Highway 84 is currently shut down. The Northbound turn lane from Potter Road onto Highway 84 is also closed due to a vehicle crash.

A power pole will need to be replaced. The closure duration is unknown at this time. Please use alternate routes and allow extra travel time.

10/19/2026

18 FELONY CHARGES: SUSPECT ARRESTED IN UNION COUNTY BREAK-INS

On Friday, October 16, detectives arrested Walter Ronaldo Nunez-Hernandez in connection with multiple break-ins at homes under construction throughout Union County, where newly installed appliances were stolen.

Detectives located Nunez-Hernandez while canvassing one of the previously targeted neighborhoods as part of their ongoing investigation. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Union County Jail.

Nunez-Hernandez faces 18 felony charges, including Breaking and Entering of a Residence and Larceny after Breaking and Entering. He received a $110,000 secured bond and remains in custody.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to investigating property crimes, holding offenders accountable, and protecting the homes and property of Union County residents.

10/19/2026

REMEMBERING K9 JUSTICE

Today, we remember and honor K9 Justice, a faithful member of the Union County Sheriff’s Office family who spent his career doing what he did best: helping bring people home.

Justice joined our agency in the summer of 2018 after being generously donated by Mr. J.T. Price of South Carolina. He began his career alongside Deputy W. Walden as a single-purpose tracking dog, using his incredible abilities to help locate missing individuals and reunite them with their loved ones.

Throughout his years of service, Justice worked alongside handlers W. Walden, L. Starnes, and B. Belk, leaving a lasting mark on the people he served with and the families he helped.

After retiring three years ago, Justice enjoyed a well-deserved retirement living with his final handler, B. Belk.

Justice was more than a working dog. He was a partner, a trusted companion, and a valued member of our Sheriff’s Office family.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Get those costumes ready because it’s almost time for some Halloween fun with the Union County Sheriff’s Office!

Our annual Trunk or Treat & Child Safety Fair is happening THIS SATURDAY, October 24th, from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Sheriff Eddie Cathey and the UCSO invite you to bring the whole family out for a fun-filled evening of candy, costumes, decorated trunks, and community fellowship! Along with all the Halloween excitement, families will have the opportunity to learn important child safety tips and meet some of the men and women who work hard to keep our community safe.

And don’t worry about dinner! We’ll have FREE hot dogs available while supplies last.
Location: Union County Sheriff’s Office, 3370 Presson Road, Monroe, NC
Admission is FREE, so grab your little ghosts and goblins and join us for a night of treats, smiles, and spooky good times.

We can't wait to see everyone there!

10/15/2026

WILDLIFE AND RABIES AWARENESS

Union County has recently experienced an increase in skunks testing positive for rabies. Residents are urged to use caution around wildlife and pets that may have encountered potentially rabid animals.

If your pet has had physical contact with a wild animal, especially a skunk, raccoon, fox, or other potentially rabid animal, use extreme caution when handling your pet. If saliva may have been transferred during the encounter, avoid contact with your pet’s saliva and any wounds until you receive guidance from a veterinarian or animal control professional.

Protect yourself and your pets:

Never handle wild animals, even if they appear friendly or sick.

Avoid contact with your pet’s saliva or bite wounds if your pet may have been exposed to a rabid animal.

If handling your pet is necessary, wear disposable gloves and avoid contact with your eyes, mouth, broken skin, or open wounds. Keep in mind that gloves do not eliminate the risk of exposure.

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to rabies, contact your veterinarian and Union County Animal Services immediately.

If you are bitten, scratched, or exposed to saliva from a potentially rabid animal through your eyes, mouth, or an open wound, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek immediate medical advice.

Keep your pets’ rabies vaccinations current.

Rabies is a serious, potentially fatal disease that can affect both animals and humans. Prompt reporting and proper precautions can help protect you, your family, and your pets.

Although rabies vaccines are available for various animals, North Carolina law recognizes and requires rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets.

If your pet has been exposed to a potentially rabid animal and has received a rabies vaccination in the past, even if the vaccination is no longer current, the state recommendation is to have your pet receive a booster vaccination from a veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your pet has never been vaccinated against rabies, contact Union County Animal Services for guidance on the required quarantine process.

Please share this message to help spread awareness and keep our community, families, and pets safe.

10/14/2026

AN UPDATE AND A THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY

The Union County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to call us today with concerns and information regarding the juvenile featured in our post last night. It means a lot to see a community that cares enough to pick up the phone and look out for one another.

Since the initial post, our deputies have spent a considerable amount of time searching the surrounding area using drones and K9s, canvassing the neighborhood, and working with CCOM to send out a reverse 911 notification to residents nearby.

At this point, we have not received any reports of a missing juvenile matching the description. We have also contacted schools the child would most likely attend, and none reported an unexcused absence. We certainly hope these are positive signs that a child was simply outside playing, lost track of time, and made it home safely.

And let’s be honest, many of us remember those days growing up. You headed outside to play, rode your bike around the neighborhood, and didn't come home until the streetlights came on. Back then, there were no cell phones or Life360 apps to keep track of everyone. Kids played, explored, and enjoyed being kids, and that's still something we want to see today.

We simply want to make sure this child is safe. If you believe the child in our original post could be yours, please reach out to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. We understand that children play outside, and we want them to have that freedom. We would just like to confirm that this child is home safe so we can share that good news with the community.

Thank you again to everyone who has called, shared our post, and helped us try to get answers. That is what being part of a great community is all about.

10/14/2026

Large Law Enforcement Presence in Rogers Road Area

UCSO deputies are currently in the area of Rogers Road and William Clark Trail (Meriwether subdivision) attempting to locate a young child who was reportedly seen walking alone within the last hour.

According to the reporting party, the child appeared to be a Hispanic male, approximately five years old, with dark curly hair, wearing a red long-sleeve shirt, blue shorts, and white shoes. The child reportedly ran away when approached by the reporting party, prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

At this time, the child's name and home address are unknown, and deputies have not been provided with a photograph. Out of an abundance of caution, a large number of deputies have responded to the area to assist in locating the child and ensuring his/her safety.
Residents in the surrounding area may notice an increased law enforcement presence as deputies utilize K-9 units, drone teams, and neighborhood canvassing efforts to determine the child's whereabouts.

There is currently no indication of any threat to the surrounding community. Our primary concern is locating the child and ensuring his/her well-being.

Anyone with information specifically related to this incident or the child's whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately. We appreciate the community's patience and assistance as deputies work to resolve this