New McDowell County Sheriff Sworn-In

Nathan Mace is officially McDowell County’s sheriff after county commissioners appointed him Monday and District Court Judge Ellen Shelley administered the oath of office.

Mace succeeds Sheriff Ricky Buchanan, who retired effective Aug. 1 after eight years of leading the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.

WCAB News first reported the news in May.

The appointment came after Buchanan’s retirement created the vacancy. The county manager, Ashley Wooten, explained that North Carolina law requires county commissioners to appoint a sheriff based on the recommendation of the executive committee of the political party of the previous sheriff.

Buchanan was a Republican, and the McDowell County Republican Party Executive Committee recommended Mace for the position.

The county manager cited N.C. General Statute 162-5.1 during Monday’s meeting, saying commissioners were required to follow the party executive committee’s recommendation.

Mace had served as Buchanan’s chief deputy since 2018.

Commissioners had also approved and recorded Mace’s sheriff’s bond before the appointment, according to the county manager.

The board unanimously approved Mace’s appointment.

Judge Shelley then swore in Mace during a ceremony attended by his family, law enforcement colleagues, Buchanan and members of the county Board of Commissioners.

Mace is the 26th person to serve as sheriff of McDowell County.

The appointment also places Mace in a strong position heading into the November general election. He does not have a Democratic challenger on the general election ballot, meaning he currently faces no opposition for the sheriff’s office.

In remarks following his swearing-in, Mace thanked Buchanan for mentoring him and credited his family and faith for supporting his law enforcement career.

“This is obviously the most honorable moment in my professional career,” Mace said. “I don't take this job lightly.”

Mace said fighting crime, protecting the community and keeping children safe will be priorities for his administration.

“We will be out here. We will be fighting crime, protecting our communities and keeping our children safe at the forefront,” he said.

He also asked county commissioners to maintain an open relationship with the sheriff’s office and to better understand its operational needs.

“I want you guys to come in, sit down with me at my office and see what we go through on a day-to-day basis and what it is the needs that we need at that office,” Mace said.

Mace will be joined in the department’s leadership by Paul Alkire, who will serve as chief deputy.

Mace said he planned to hold a mandatory staff meeting following the ceremony and swear in deputies serving under his administration.

He also credited Buchanan with helping prepare him for the job.

“Over eight years ago, you pulled me in that office and sat down with me and talked,” Mace said. “He saw something in me that I didn't see at that time.”

Mace said the new position carries significant responsibility.

“With great power comes great responsibility,” he said, referencing a line from a Spider-Man movie.

He concluded by thanking his family, colleagues and his faith.

“I'm going to give everything that I've got in my heart and soul for this community and for this office,” Mace said.