Former county sheriff, James Sasser, passes
By John Joyce
Published in News on November 12, 2014 1:46 PM
Former Wayne County Sheriff James Sasser died today at the age of 84.
Sasser, a sworn law enforcement officer for more than 30 years, served as chief deputy under his predecessor Sheriff Bill Adams before being elected to the office in 1982.
He served 14 years until his retirement, when the late Carey Winders was elected in 1994.
Sasser had been at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in recent weeks.
"He was just a fine southern gentleman, very well thought of by fellow sheriffs," Duplin County Sheriff Blake Wallace said. "He was a fine man."
Wallace said his thoughts were with the Sasser family and with the citizens of Wayne County.
Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce offered his condolences as well.
"I served under him from 1982 to '86 as a detective sergeant and fire investigator. He was an outstanding law enforcement officer and was highly respected throughout the community and the state," Pierce said.
Like many before him, and some since, Sasser began his law enforcement career with the Goldsboro Police Department. He put on his first badge in 1951 and served under Goldsboro police Chief Haywood Lane.
Sasser transferred to the sheriff's office in 1960 under then-sheriff Jesse Hinson and began his ascent to the top job.
Sheriff's Office Maj. Tom Effler remembered Sasser as the man who gave him his start in law enforcement, and someone who helped him through tough times.
"He gave me, well, he gave a lot of us, our first opportunity, that is something we will always be grateful for," Effler said.
Funeral arrangements were not known as of press time.