Congressman Tim Moore Receives Lifetime Defender of Public Safety Award from the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association

GASTONIA, NC — Today, Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) received the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association 2025 Lifetime Defender of Public Safety Award in recognition of his support for law enforcement throughout his more than 22 years in public office, including a decade of service as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives.

“The least I can do for the brave men and women of our sheriffs’ offices is fight for them the way they fight for us every single day. As Speaker, I made law enforcement a priority, backing them with the resources they needed, and stood with them against efforts to defund them. Now in Congress, I’m carrying that same commitment to the federal level, making sure our deputies and officers have the tools, training, and support to keep our communities safe and return home safe every night,” said Congressman Moore. “I’m incredibly honored to receive the Lifetime Defender of Public Safety Award.”

The award was presented to Congressman Moore by North Carolina Sheriffs Association First Vice President Sheriff Ricky Buchanan of McDowell County and North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Executive Vice President and General Counsel Eddie Caldwell.

Following the award presentation, Congressman Moore hosted a roundtable with sheriffs from across the district to discuss challenges facing law enforcement in North Carolina and across the nation. Also in attendance were Sheriff Banks Hinceman of Burke County, Sheriff Alan Norman of Cleveland County, Sheriff Chad Hawkins of Gaston County, Sheriff Tim Wright of Polk County, Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg of Rutherford County, and Representative Paul Scott of the North Carolina House of Representatives.

The discussion highlighted key legislative efforts in Washington that impact public safety and policing, including his bipartisan Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act, which is expected to receive a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives during National Police Week. 

Congressman Moore has also cosponsored a range of pro-law enforcement legislation, including the Protect and Serve Act, which increases federal penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, and the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances under Schedule I to help law enforcement fight the opioid crisis.