Donnie Harrison was first elected Sheriff of Wake County in 2002, and was elected to a second term on November 7, 2006. Sheriff Harrison is the first certified law enforcement officer to be elected Sheriff in Wake County. Before serving Wake County as its Sheriff, Donnie Harrison was a veteran law enforcement officer. May 10, 2010, marked his 43rd year in law enforcement.
For 26 years he served on the North Carolina Highway Patrol, working Wake County exclusively, learning first-hand the challenges law enforcement officials face in our county.  In addition to working Wake County, Donnie served as Chief of Security for the Lieutenant Governor, 1988-92, and also taught numerous courses at the Highway Patrol Academy. Sheriff Harrison has also been recognized as one of Wake County's top canine search and rescue handlers. He trained his own dogs and voluntarily offered his services to find lost Alzheimer's patients, lost children, and track down criminal suspects for local law enforcement agencies Sheriff Harrison has been a hands-on Sheriff. He works the road, shows up at calls, checks in with detention staff, goes on drug raids, and accompanies detectives as they investigate cases.
“I always said I would be a working Sheriff, out there with our employees. With over 43 years of law enforcement experience, I've been there and know what they face. I want them to know that I love law enforcement and am proud to work beside them.” Sheriff Harrison grew up in Bear Grass, North Carolina. When he joined the patrol, he was assigned to Wake County and remained here until he retired as a Sergeant. He currently lives in Garner. He has two daughters, one granddaughter, and one grandson.

“The citizens of Wake County are not an interruption of our work, but the purpose of it.” Sheriff Donnie Harrison