Combat Veteran. Man of Integrity. Steadfast & Diligent.

JOHN P. HELTON

Committed to service.

Excellence in leadership.

Honor beyond the ballot.

Be informed. Vote informed.

John Helton

Republican Candidate

for Catawba County Sheriff.

Be informed. Vote informed.

John Helton

Republican Candidate

for Catawba County Sheriff.

Meet John

Story

CATAWBA COUNTY NATIVE

BACKGROUND:

Personal:

Married his high-school sweetheart, Kara Houston Helton in 2005.
They have two children, Kayleigh Grace and Gray Landon, who are their biggest blessings and answered prayers.
Their family lives in the Vale area of Catawba County on a peaceful plot of land, and have a small hobby farm.
As a family they enjoy movie nights, bonfires, fishing, playing Uno and Rummikub, gathering with family and friends, and hosting orphans from Eastern Europe in their home during summers and over Christmas.

Military:

Currently serving his 22nd year in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Combat Veteran, serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Billets completed: Military Police; Operations Chief for Environmental Service Division, Operations Chief for Readiness Support Division, leading over 15,000 Marines throughout the entire Southeastern United States.
Current billet: Family Readiness Division as the NC Representative for Marine for Life. Assists Marines with their transition from military life to becoming re-established as a civilian.

Education:

Graduated from St. Stephens High School.
Basic Law Enforcement Training, CVCC.
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, CVCC.
Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences with a concentration in Criminal Justice; Cum Laude, Gardner-Webb University.
NC Advance Law Enforcement Certification from the NC Department of Justice.
Advanced Staff Non-Commission Officers course in Quantico, VA.
Leadership Catawba Course through the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce.

Professional:

Served at both Newton Police Department and Catawba County Sheriff's Office for a total of 16 years in local law enforcement, working in the following capacities:
Patrol Division
School Resource Officer at Fred T. Foard High School
Promoted to Corporal on Road Patrol
Promoted to Sergeant over Community Relations and Crime Prevention Division
Supervised all Resource Officers for all Catawba County Schools and CVCC
Managed all Senior and Juvenile programs, high school and college interns
Recruited and supervised over 50 volunteers.
Promoted to Lieutenant as recognition for excellence in leadership in Community Relations and Crime Prevention Division.
Special Tactics and Response (SWAT) team for 8 years.

Upon leaving the Sheriff's Office in 2019, began serving the homeless veteran population in our community as a Case Manager for Veteran Services of the Carolinas, Division of Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry.

Recently hired as a Sales Agent for Globe Life, Family Heritage Division.

Community Service:

Board of Directors with Foothills Veterans Helping Veterans as the Chairman of the homeless veteran stand down.
NC Continuum of Care committee through the balance of state with Catawba County United Way.
Volunteers with Carolina Caring, formally known as Hospice.
Served on multiple committees with the Catawba County United Way.
Served on the Board of Directors for NW NC Goodwill.

Why Run for Sheriff?

There are several reasons that intertwine into John's "why".

John's faith in God is the single most meaningful aspect of his life. In 2020, He began praying one simple prayer, "God, use me in a mighty way to serve my community".

Knowing and trusting his leadership approach, several current deputies approached him, and asked him to run for Sheriff. Within weeks he began being approached by more and more people- both deputies and citizens- asking him if he would consider running for Sheriff. After continued prayer and seeking counsel, John felt confident this was the path the Lord was calling him towards- and his desire was to be obedient to that.

John grew up in Catawba County and this is where he and his wife have put down roots to raise their children. He has seen the changes that are occurring here, and is not the type of person to passively sit back, hoping someone else does something about it. His motivation is to return Catawba County to what it once was, for his children to be safe in their own community, and for his parents to enter retirement with peace of mind. And he wants the same for your children and your parents.

John is not a politician. His campaign and his strategy look a lot different than a typical politician's campaign. His advisory committee is multi-generational and multi-racial, and there is great worth in their words. Together, they have committed that the campaign trail will be journeyed with integrity and honor.

Snapshots of His Life

JOHN'S ALBUM