ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County is in mourning and condolences are pouring in from across the state following news of the passing of Sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr. on Thursday.
Clemmons died Thursday morning of natural causes at his Rockingham home, according to Chief Deputy Mark Gulledge.
Several individuals and agencies — including the Rockingham Fire Department, East Rockingham Fire Department and Cordova Fire and Rescue — have changed their profile pictures on Facebook to a photo of a Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputy badge with a black band across it or to the logo of the sheriff's office.
Flags across downtown Rockingham have already been lowered to half-staff in honor of the man who served in law enforcement for more than 30 years.
The Richmond County government posted a statement to its Facebook page shortly after the news was made public:
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend, Sheriff James “Clem” Clemmons, who passed away unexpectedly while at home this morning. We will all miss him more than any words can express. He was not just our co-worker, but a great friend to all and an awesome leader in our Community.
Please keep our Deputies, coworkers, staff and most of all Sheriff Clemmons’ family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Many Richmond County residents commented that the sheriff, known affectionately as “Clem,” was a “wonderful man” and how he has done a great job serving the county since being elected in 2010.
The neighboring Moore County Sheriff’s Office also posted about Clemmons:
“Sheriff Clemmons has served as a mentor to Sheriff (Ronnie) Fields in his first term as Moore County Sheriff and is considered a friend and ally in our neighboring county. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office as they grieve the loss of their Sheriff.”
Clemmons is the second sheriff in North Carolina to pass away this week.
Jones County Sheriff Danny Heath died Monday at his home.
Like Clemmons, Heath was also first elected in 2010.
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office offered its condolences on social media:
"Once again, our hearts are broken. North Carolina has lost another great man and wonderful Sheriff. ... Sheriff Clemmons was a dear friend to our Sheriff (John) Ingram and many of us at the Sheriff’s Office. Our love and prayers are with Sheriff Clemmons’ family, his law enforcement family, and the entire Richmond County community. This is such devastating news for the N.C. law enforcement family. We are in the midst of grieving the loss of Sheriff Danny Heath of Jones County who passed away just days ago, and now the loss of Sheriff Clemmons. It’s been an extremely tough week. ... Rest easy dear Sheriff, we’ll take it from here. You will be sorely missed by so many."
The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association also acknowledged Clemmons’ passing.
Clemmons served as president of the association from 2018-2019.
