Sheriff Terry Johnson recruited the current major to Alamance from Swain County
Alamance County sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement officials gathered at a Friday luncheon to say goodbye – and in one case, tell stories on – two officers within the sheriff’s office who are retiring.
Jackie Fortner, who has served as major over the Operations division of the sheriff’s office, is one of the top-ranking members of the sheriff’s staff. Fortner has spent 40 years in law enforcement.
In fact, Fortner, already a veteran law enforcement officer, moved to Alamance County shortly after Johnson was first elected in 2002.
Johnson, a former career agent with the State Bureau of Investigation, had been assigned to an area that included Swain County (Bryson City area) in the mountains of North Carolina. Fortner worked as a deputy in the sheriff’s office in Swain County.
As such, they had occasion to work together on a number of cases, as was remembered by the two during reminiscences – sometimes with humorous elements – at the luncheon.
Johnson ultimately persuaded Fortner to move to Alamance County where he rose through the ranks to become one of his top majors.
Fortner’s flamboyance and reputation for story telling (sometimes reputedly long-winded ones) were recalled by various speakers during the luncheon.
A self-described quiet officer, sergeant Jimmy Faulkner, was also honored during the luncheon. Faulkner is a 14-year veteran with the sheriff’s office.
