The Sheriff's Administration Division oversees day-to-day operations of the Sheriff's Office. Their focus is on professional services, leadership, integrity and impartial policing.
Sheriff Shaw began his law enforcement career with the NC State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) in 1987. During his career with the NCSBI he served as:
- Deputy Director
- Deputy Assistant Director of Special Operations
- Special Agent in Charge of the Special Services Unit and the Clandestine Laboratory Response Unit
- Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Southern Piedmont Field District
- Special Agent with assignments that have included drug and general criminal Investigations, arson and crime scene response and clandestine drug laboratory investigations
He served on the SBI’s Special Response Team for thirteen years and was a Specialized Law Enforcement Instructor for the State of NC. In 2015, Sheriff Shaw retired from the NCSBI as the Deputy Director of the agency.
In 2015, Sheriff Shaw joined to the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office to oversee its Criminal Investigation Division. This division of the Sheriff’s Office includes:
- criminal investigations
- vice, narcotics and gang investigations
- sex offender enforcement
- crime scene investigation
- property and evidence control
In 2018, Sheriff Shaw was promoted to Chief Deputy of the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office and oversaw the Office's daily operations. On November 6, 2018, Sheriff Shaw was elected as Cabarrus County’s 38th Sheriff and officially took office on December 1, 2018.
Sheriff Shaw completed his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Elon University. He received a master’s degree in Business Administration at Pfeiffer University. He is also a graduate of NC State University’s Administrative Officers Management Program.
Sheriff Shaw served in the US Army Reserves as a Military Police Officer for ten years. He is married to his wife Taina and they have two daughters.
Chief Deputy
Tessa Burchett is the Chief Deputy and reports directly to Sheriff Shaw. She oversees all Sheriff’s Office day-to-day operations. Burchett was promoted to Chief Deputy in May of 2023.
Chief Deputy Tessa Burchett received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of New Jersey in 1995. She graduated from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Academy in 1997. After working for CMPD for a short period, she began working with the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol officer in 1998.
During her career with the Sheriff’s Office, Burchett has worked as a:
Burchett was promoted to Field Operations Captain in March of 2019. As the Field Operations Captain, Burchett was over the:
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Criminal Investigations Division
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Crime Reduction Unit
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Crime Scene Investigations
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Vice and Narcotic Investigations
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Special Response Team
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K9 Unit
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Critical Incident Peer Support Team
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Crisis Negotiation Team
Chief Burchett has attended numerous trainings throughout her career to include:
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the Public Safety Leadership Institute through CPCC
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Command College through CMPD
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MPA Public & Nonprofit Management Academy through UNCC
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University of North Carolina School of Government Municipal and County Administration
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the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association Chief Deputy Leadership Institute.
She lives in Cabarrus County with her husband David who retired as a Sergeant from the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office. They have two daughters, Bailey and Taylor.
Field Operations Captain
Chris Smith was promoted to Captain in August of 2025 and assigned as the Field Operations Captain that oversees:
- Patrol Operations and K9 Unit
- Criminal Investigations Division
- Crime Reduction Unit
- Crime Scene Investigations
- Vice and Narcotic Investigations
- Traffic Education and Enforcement Unit
Smith also oversees the Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Motorcycle Unit.
Captain Smith began his law enforcement career with the Concord Police department where he was assigned as a patrol officer, street crimes officer and detective.
In August of 2019, Smith transitioned to the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office as a Vice and Narcotics Detective. He was then promoted to Sergeant over this unit in 2020. After leading Vice and Narcotics and overseeing many high-level cases, Smith was promoted to the lieutenant of the entire Criminal Investigations Division. He was most recently promoted to Captain over Field Operations.
Captain Smith was born and raised in Cabarrus County and still resides in Cabarrus County with his wife and son.
Administrative Captain
Scott Zeman is the Administrative Captain. He oversees the day-to-day operations of:
- Training
- Recruiting
- Civil
- Records
- Courthouse Security
He also oversees the operations of the Civil Emergency Response Team (CERT) and is the Commander of the Special Response Team.
Captain Zeman was sworn with the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. Later, he graduated Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET). Zeman is currently completing the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Trilogy Course.
During his career with the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, he has worked in the:
- Detention Center
- Courthouse Security
- Patrol
- Training and Recruitment Professional Standards
Zeman was promoted to Captain in 2019 as the Jail Administrator. He oversaw day-to-day operations in the Detention Facility. This includes:
- Booking
- Housing
- Inmate Visitation
- Various Inmate Programs
In March of 2023, Captain Zeman made the move to Administrative Captain.
He resides in Cabarrus County with his wife.
Detention Center Captain
Joel Wallace is Captain of the Cabarrus County Detention Center, and:
- supervises both inmates and staff officers
- coordinates facility activities
- manages inmate programs and visitation
- maintains overall safety and security of inmates, employees and the facility
Captain Wallace became a sworn Deputy in the Detention Center in 2002. In 2004, he was promoted to Sergeant and oversaw the daily operations of:
- Housing and Booking
- Inmate Transportation
- Inmates Records
Captain Wallace was promoted to Lieutenant of the Housing Unit in 2018. In 2023, he was promoted to Captain and Jail Administrator of the Detention Center. During his tenure, Captain Wallace has been awarded the:
- Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate
- Advanced Detention Officer Certificate
He successfully completed the:
- Contemporary Law Enforcement Leadership Development Program at Rowan Cabarrus Community College
- Public Safety Leadership Institute at Central Piedmont Community College
- National Institute of Corrections Jail Administrators Course
- FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Trilogy Course
Captain Wallace resides in Rowan County and has two daughters.
Government Support Services Captain
Barrett Elwood is the Governmental Support Services Captain. He oversees day-to-day operations of:
- Communications
- School Resource Officers (SRO)
- Animal Shelter
- Animal Control
- Government Services
In addition, he oversees the operations of the:
- Special Vehicle Response (SVR) Team
- Explorer Program (Public Safety Cadets)
- Drone Program
Professional Standards Captain
Kevin Klinglesmith serves as the Professional Standards Captain for the Sheriff’s Office. He oversees the day-to-day operations of:
- Community Outreach
- Body-Worn and Fleet Cameras
- Internal Affairs
- Agency Policy and Procedures
- Public Records Requests
- Off-Duty and Secondary Employment
- Agency Fleet
- Honor Guard
- Bomb Squad
- Chaplains Program
In 2002, Captain Klinglesmith earned his Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from RCCC. Later that year, he graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET). He was sworn in with the Sheriff’s Office on January 27, 2003. He was promoted to Captain in December 2021.
Throughout his career with the Sheriff’s Office, Captain Klinglesmith has served in:
- Detention Center
- Patrol Division
- Town of Harrisburg
- Criminal Investigations Division
- Training–Recruitment–Professional Standards Group
- Government Support Services Division
In December 2024, Captain Klinglesmith completed the prestigious FBI National Academy, Session #292. This accomplishment is achieved by less than 1% of law enforcement officers worldwide.
He has also successfully completed:
- FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA) Trilogy Courses
- FBI-LEEDA e-Trilogy Courses
- Leadership Cabarrus (Class of 2020)
His professional recognition includes:
- NC Sheriff’s Education & Training Standards Intermediate and Advanced Professional Law Enforcement Certificates
- Intermediate and Advanced Service Awards
Captain Klinglesmith resides in Cabarrus County with his wife and two children.
Town of Harrisburg Captain
Sherry Nash is the Captain over the Harrisburg Division of the Sheriff’s Office. She began her career in 2008 as a detention officer. In 2010, she became a deputy and joined the 911 Communications Center. In 2012, she transitioned to patrol, later serving as a Field Training Officer. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2019, appointed Lieutenant in 2022 and Captain in 2025.
Captain Nash works closely with the Mayor, Town Council and municipal officials. She delivers monthly reports. She fosters open, respectful communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the community. She is a certified general instructor, stop-stick instructor and specialized driving instructor. She has extensive experience:
- training detention officers
- teaching DOCC classes
- assisting with BLET instruction
Captain Nash oversees the Critical Incident Peer Support Team. She has completed numerous advanced leadership programs, including:
- the Public Safety Leadership Institute through CPCC
- the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA) Trilogy Courses, including the Supervisor course, the Command Leadership course and the Executive Leadership Institute
She is a resident of Cabarrus County and proud mother of two daughters. Captain Nash is dedicated to serving with:
- integrity
- professionalism
- a deep commitment to public safety