DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. -- Richie Simmons has been elected as Davidson County's sheriff.

Simmons, with 52.55 percent of the vote, arrived in Davidson County back in 1991 and spent 24 years with the State Highway Patrol, before retiring in 2015. One of the biggest aspects of his platform is a push to a more modernized version of the office.

Three other Republicans vied to be the county's top law enforcement officer.

Incumbent Sheriff David Grice, a lifelong resident of Davidson County, held the office since 2004 and worked within law enforcement since 1971. He won with 22.77 percent of the vote.

Former Sheriff Gerald Hege came in at 16.35 percent. He resigned as sheriff after felony convictions in 2004. Hege fell short in 2010 running against Sheriff Grice.

Greg Wood also ran for the seat and earned 8.34 percent of the vote. He began his law enforcement career back in 1979 and was seeking to implement a more proactive style of leadership. 

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