Press Releases
Governor Roy Cooper today announced that Disaster Recovery Centers will open this week to help Caldwell and Wilkes county residents who were affected by storms that struck in late October. The two centers join the already announced Disaster Loan Outreach Center that opens today in Watauga County to provide financial assistance to storm survivors.
Inmate Terry Poole (#0694086) died Tuesday evening at Lanesboro Correctional Institution after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in his cell at about 6:20 p.m. Prison medical staff and local paramedics responded and worked to resuscitate the inmate, but were unsuccessful.
Poole, 36, was sentenced in Lee County in 2005 and had a 24-year sentence for second degree murder. He was scheduled to be released in October 2023.
Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks today announced the addition of three new members to his leadership team. Susanna Davis will serve as Legislative Affairs Director for the department, Alicia Davis (no relation) will serve as Legislative Counsel and Mike Daniska is the Director of Policy and Planning.
Approximately 74 federal, state, and local officers combined forces this week in Wayne County to seek subjects wanted on outstanding warrants and to conduct searches of high-risk individuals under the supervision of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. This effort resulted in 30 arrests and 42 warrants served, for a total of 60 charges cleared. Additionally, officers seized two firearms, 178 rounds of ammunition, and quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.
Correctional staff from Wake County and local law enforcement are searching for escaped inmate Larry J. Locklear (#0245809).
Locklear, 66, who was on a work assignment, is a minimum custody inmate serving a sentence at Wake Correctional Center as a habitual felon. His projected release date was October 2021.
Secretary Erik A. Hooks today met with employees at Pasquotank Correctional Institution to listen to ideas, observations and concerns following the violent attack Oct. 12 that resulted in the deaths of four employees. As part of his visit to the prison, he also took a tour of the facility and met with staff at all levels.
The Secretary had a brief message for employees, but his primary goal was to listen to them and hear what was on their minds.
Media Staging Areas
WHAT: Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon’s Memorial Service
WHERE: Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium
Burnim Fine Arts Center
Elizabeth City State University
Fine Arts Way, Elizabeth City, NC
*Two media staging areas have been established:
Geoffrey Howe, a maintenance mechanic for Pasquotank Correctional Institution, passed away Thursday at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital from injuries suffered during a failed inmate escape attempt on Oct. 12.
“Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the Howe family,” said Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks. “This tragedy has horribly impacted the lives of four families, as well as co-workers and friends.”
Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon passed away Monday evening at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital from injuries suffered during an inmate escape attempt Oct. 12 at Pasquotank Correctional Institution.
“We mourn the loss of our colleague Correctional Officer Shannon,” said Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks. “Our deepest condolences go out to the Shannon family during this difficult time.”
Today, Governor Roy Cooper released the following statement on the passing of Pasquotank Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon:
"I'm deeply saddened that this brutal attack has taken the life of Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon who was doing her job protecting the public. Our hearts go out to the victim, her family, friends and coworkers. Prisons and their employees help keep our communities safe, and I've directed state prison officials to take the necessary steps to improve prison safety."