HOKE COUNTY, N.C. — Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin has died, according to family. Peterkin has served as the county's sheriff since 2002.

Peterkin's sister, Hazel Peterkin Ware shared the news in a Facebook post early Saturday morning, saying it was "unbelievable." She asked for prayers for the family, but provided no other details regarding his death.

Peterkin served as president of the North Carolina Sheriff's Association in 2015 and chairman of the NCSA executive board from 2016 to 2017.

Gov. Roy Cooper on Saturday expressed his sadness and recognized Peterkin's service to the state. 

"We will miss him and his leadership and we grieve for his family," Cooper stated in a tweet.

Hoke County Commissioner Harry L. Southerland posted a statement on Facebook offering his condolences to the family and saying in part, "Sheriiff Peterkin left his footprints on our hearts and Hoke County is a better place because of him. Hoke County has lost a wonderful husband, father, Sheriff, and great servant."

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Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the years of Sheriff Peterkin's service as chairman of the NCSA executive board.