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Major Brandon Barbrey is running for sheriff in Wilson County, and his campaign is gaining momentum. With a strong commitment to community safety and a vision for a better future, Major Barbrey is the candidate who can make a difference. This blog post will explore why supporting his campaign is essential for the residents of Wilson County and how you can get involved. The Importance of Local Leadership Local leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the safety and well-bein

"Take a breath" That is one thing that I said to myself often when I was assigned to work Internet Crimes Against Children. This was one of the darkest things I have ever witnessed and a job that requires extreme mental toughness. It is not normal to see some of the things that ICAC investigators see when they are investigating these monsters. Every image must be viewed; every video must be seen in its entirety. It takes a special person to effectively work cases involving Ch

In 2020, I played an integral part in the establishment of a specialized unit responsible for traffic enforcement, accident investigations, and warrant service and fugitive apprehensions across this county. This elite team has played an important role in keeping our roadways safer and holding offenders accountable. When this team was established, they were placed under my command and supervision. I supported this team by helping to provide them with the technological tools th

Glad to support our local Girl Scout Troop! These young leaders are learning teamwork, entrepreneurship, and confidence…one cookie box at a time. They are braving the bitter cold to do it too. Stop by and see them at Peppermill in front of Italian Pizza and Subs for all your Girl Scout cookie needs!!

Today was a great day! I started the day with some second graders from Vinson Bynum and Wells Elementary. Our SAR dive team helped facilitate some swim lessons for the kids. I left work early today to hand out bowls of the best baked potato soup I have ever had. The cooks HAVE IT FIGURED OUT! I had some meaningful conversations with several people, even got to explain the roles and responsibilities to a young man who will be voting for his first time this March. We talked abo

Thankful beyond words for my teammates who gave their time and energy today building and putting out signs. I am proud to work alongside each of you. Your time, effort, and support mean more to me than you know!

A law enforcement budget is more than a fiscal document. It is a reflection of leadership, priorities and accountability. Every dollar must directly support public safety, deputy readiness, and responsible use of taxpayer resources. I take very seriously the responsibility of being a good steward of taxpayer dollars. In nine (9) of the sixteen (16) years of my career, I have assisted in budget preparation for different divisions within the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office. Mana

Excellent leaders gather facts, listen to input, and act decisively. I've always been told that "the good lord gave you two ears and one mouth, so you can listen twice as much as you speak". Great leaders possess the ability to be decisive. In critical moments, hesitation costs lives. Over the course of my career; as a supervisor, as a division commander, a SWAT Team Leader, a SWAT Team Commander, an Officer Safety Instructor, a Specialized Driving Instructor, and on the fron

I met with a group last week and was almost immediately asked, before I even sat down, for my political stance. I told them I was not a salesman, and I am not a politician. I am a law enforcement officer. I told them that I aligned with what is right, what is biblically correct. The only class or training remotely close to politics I have ever received was in high school when I was mandated to take a civics class, which covered a little bit of politics. That is one class, in

I am grounded in my faith, and my faith serves as the foundation of who I am as a leader, a public servant, and a member of this community. My faith in Jesus Christ shapes my character, guides my decisions, and reminds me daily that leadership isn’t about “authority”, it isn’t about a “position” or a “title”. To me, leadership is about responsibility, humility, and service to others. I believe true leadership means putting people before self, listening before speaking, and le

Post 2020 law enforcement has been geared towards an ever-changing world of technology. When I started in law enforcement in 2010, here at the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, we did not have body cameras, we were on low-band radios and the thought of UAS, Cameras, LPR’s, data mining technology, or a Real Time Crime Center was just imaginary. In 2022, under my leadership in Special Operations, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office acquired our first drones. One drone was designed

What an incredible day spent serving this community! My team of cooks made the best black-eyed peas, smoked sausage, and cornbread I’ve ever tasted. None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who made it happen. Prep work began yesterday afternoon. There was a dedicated group who stayed up overnight to make sure everything was ready, cooking up 75-pounds of black-eyed peas. My family and I dropped in on the cooking operation last night to prep the bow

Over the past few days, while attending the Christmas Basketball Tournament at Beddingfield High School, I have had several great conversations with folks from across this county. Two questions keep coming up: “Where did you grow up?” and “Where did you go to high school?” My answer usually starts the same way. I grew up as a military brat. Service and commitment run deep in my family. My father and mother both served in the U.S. Navy. My stepfather served in the U.S. Marine

Service to our community is deeply important to me. Teaching our future generations the value of service and what it truly means to be a productive member of society matters just as much. Those lessons carry weight far beyond words. This past Sunday, I was honored to be invited to a food plate giveaway hosted by our current state representative, Dante Pittman. I met incredible people, heard powerful stories, and had meaningful, face-to-face conversations. I was able to answer

Today was a day spent where it matters most; with family! Krista, the kids, and I started the morning at futsal at the Rec, where I had the opportunity to speak with several folks who were incredibly supportive and encouraging. Those conversations mean more than people know. We grabbed lunch at Papa Jack’s Grill, where more positive conversations followed, the kind that remind me why this journey matters. The afternoon was spent riding around Wilson County together, Christmas

A citizen asked me a hot topic question today. The question was, "So what is your position on working with or refusing to work with ICE if the occasion arises?" My response to the question is clear. As a Sheriff, I will simply uphold the law. I will work within the guidelines of the law. I will work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when it is lawful, appropriate and tied to public safety. The Sheriff's Office will not conduct immigration sweeps, random checks or

I’m not typically one for long posts, but I believe the citizens of Wilson County deserve a clear understanding of a candidate’s experience and accomplishments. I’ve also never been one to brag or boast. I consider myself a very humble person, and I know without question that I would not be where I am today without a Sheriff and an agency that believed in me, invested in me, and gave me opportunities from day one. Every step of my career has been built on hard work, accountab

My family and I had a wonderful time last night at the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Annual Christmas Party. This season is always special, but getting to celebrate and fellowship with my co-workers makes it even better. A huge thank you to Ms. Tracy and her entire crew for putting together such a great event. A special thanks as well to the Darden Alumni Association for providing the venue it’s always so clean, welcoming, and rich in history. And thank you to Sheriff Woodar

My name is Brandon L. Barbrey, and for sixteen years I have dedicated my life to serving and protecting the people of Wilson County. I began my career with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office in 2010, starting in the Detention Center and working my way through Patrol, Special Operations/Narcotics, Investigations, and now serving as a Major over both the Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Detention Center. I chose to spend my entire career in this agency because Wilson Coun