'I've been here all my life'

Sheriff Tim Manning is home at Martin County’s Sheriff’s Office.

“I feel like I’ve been here all my life,” he says with a laugh.

In the 1970s, Manning would often accompany his father, the late James Albert Manning, a jailer, as he made his rounds at the Old County Courthouse, where the county cells were once located.

Later, when his father became a deputy, he sometimes rode along in his patrol car as he answered calls throughout the county.

“Even back then I was interested in law enforcement,” he said.

“Sometimes he would pick me up from school and we would ride around. Occasionally, I’d go back out with him after he came home for supper,” the sheriff recalled said. “I’d wait in the car while he conducted business. I didn’t realize it, but even then, I was gaining experience.”

Now 58, Manning has been employed by the sheriff’s office for 37 years. The last seven he has served as Sheriff, a four-year position to which he has been elected twice.

Before becoming Sheriff, he served as deputy, detective, school resource officer, as well as chief deputy.

But long before he was first hired as a part-time deputy in 1987, public service was entrenched in Manning’s blood.

Both his parents set a precedent for civil service for their only child.

His (now deceased) mother, Ollie, worked for the Red Cross. When there was a disaster, he would help her organize relief shelters.

“I loved setting up the cots. Sometimes it got me out of school,” he said grinning. “But seriously, I saw how my parents treated people. I decided that was the way I wanted to treat folks as well.

“They were hard workers,” he continued. “They instilled in me the same Christian values they strongly believed in and practiced.”

Manning grew up when the county was more populated, but had less crime.

He fondly remembers growing up on McCaskey Road.

“When we were small, Jeff Harrell (fire department), Tim Hines (law enforcement) and I grew up riding our bicycles together — chasing each other — playing cops and robbers. It must have been in the water out there for us to become involved in emergency services,” he added.

In 1987, “There were probably 28,000 people in the county. We had less deputies (back then), but less calls for service. We now have less people, but unfortunately, more crime,” he added. “The number of calls for service is astronomical now.”

He has seen the Martin County Sheriff’s Office expand over the years to 46 employees.

He appreciates the symbiotic relationship among all the emergency services in Martin County.

“Not every county has that,” he said.

He said those relationships were especially evident during COVID, one of his most challenging times as Sheriff.

“Our office continued to operate even though the courthouse was closed. We never slowed down. We still had to go to calls. That was a big challenge to keep everybody safe,” he said. “I really saw the county pull together during that time and help each other out.”

One of the things he enjoys most about his job as Sheriff is the time he gets to spend out in the community, whether it is the Back-to-School-Bash in Robersonville or training churches on how to respond to an active shooter.

He and his deputies also spend time talking to groups of young people about the dangers of drugs and to older groups about avoiding scams.

Training is ongoing.

“Law Enforcement is constantly changing,” he said. “We must keep up with the times. The Sheriff’s Association is good about providing free training for all the sheriffs and their deputies. They keep us informed on what is going on throughout the state.”

Some of the highlights of his tenure include receiving grants for equipment and defibrillators, and equipping deputies with Narcan (for victims of accidental overdose).

He is grateful for the military equipment his office has been able to secure, free of charge, through a program called Law Enforcement Support Services 1033 Program. The equipment, including generators and vehicles, is especially helpful during natural disasters in Martin and surrounding counties.

Over the years this Sheriff has held many titles but there are a few he is especially fond of.

He and his wife Vickey (Mizelle) Manning were married in 1996 and have two girls, 22 and 31. They are also proud grandparents of a 2- and 4-year-old.

“Two of my favorite titles are Dad and now, Pop,” he said.

Another favorite is “Coach.”

“Over the years, I have been a recreation softball coach and travel volleyball coach. Other than my kids and grandkids, being a coach is probably one of my favorite accomplishments,” he said.

The title of Coach allowed him to “influence young people in the right direction, while giving them something to do, as well as be a part of their lives. I really enjoyed it,” he said.

Manning beamed with pride as he spoke of all-star teams he led to win state championships.

“I tell parents now to enjoy those years at the ballpark because they go by quick.”

He coached while his girls were playing — about 13 years.

It is rewarding when he sees former players in the community and they call out, “Hey Coach.” Or, when former students from his days as a resource officer come up to him and thank him for setting them on the right track.

“Sometimes you get their attention, and some change their ways and end up doing the right thing,” he said.

Family has always been a priority in how he conducts business.

“I’ve always tried to run a family-oriented office. If there is something going on in your family, that comes first. We will fill in the gaps,” he said.

In return he feels like he can call on his team whenever he needs them.

Manning and Vickie are members of Macedonia Christian Church, as well as the Lion’s Club. Vickie currently serves as Interim Director of the MTW District Health Department.

Manning said his faith is important.

“I do a lot of praying,” he said. “I pray for the guys while they are out on the road. When I hear certain calls come through, I pray for all the folks involved — that everything will turn out as best as it can.”

He also lives by the Golden Rule.

“I remind my guys and ladies, ‘many times when we encounter someone, they are at their lowest moment. So, treat them the best you can — just like you would want to be treated,’” he said.

“I tell the ones we hire, ‘I don’t hire someone just because we are short. I’m going to hire somebody I would want to investigate a breaking and entering at my home; or somebody who would be respectful if they came to my home to take care of a problem.’ I want to make sure I have good people out there representing me. I feel like I have a good reputation — and I want it to stay that way,” he added.

He is proud of the staff he has assembled.

“I have a good group of guys and ladies. I try to live by what I tell them — get out and meet people,” he said. “You never know when you might need someone’s help.”

He said his training began during childhood, watching his parents treat people fairly every day.

“I don’t feel like my days as Sheriff started August 31, 2017. I’ve been preparing for this my whole life,” he concluded.