CABARRUS COUNTY -- The Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office is mourning one of their own. Former Sheriff J.B. Roberts has died at the age of 96.
Roberts served as the Cabarrus County Sheriff from 1956 until 1982 and worked for the department for a total of 32 years.
For any officer a badge symbolizes a brotherhood, but for the law enforcement of the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, the brotherhood they shared with Sheriff J.B. Roberts meant something even more.
“He believed in work,” says Former Cabarrus County Sheriff Robert Canaday. “He had one of the strongest work ethics of anyone I had ever known.”
Sheriff J.B. Roberts served as sheriff for 26 years and during his time those who worked for him say they were inspired by his attitude more than anything.
“He was totally dedicated to his family, his farm and the Sheriff’s Office,” says Sheriff Canaday.
“That’s what he did. There weren’t any vacations or absences in his life, it was all that. And he worked.”
Even after his retirement, he continued to give back to the community and the Sheriff’s Office in multiple ways.
“He was a legend and has continued a legacy and you know thirty years later after he has not been in office people still recognize his name,” says Sheriff Brad Riley.
Now that he’s gone many believe the community will be missing a key figure.
“He’s a main stage. JB he was superman. I never anticipated him not being around. He was a tough man, very tough fella. Very strong and there just was an anticipation that he would always be there,” says Sheriff Riley.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 12, at 1 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church in Midland.