Administration

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:

• Patrol Officer

• DARE Officer

• Community Police Officer

• Investigator for the Town of Harrisburg

• Detective

• Sergeant

• Lieutenant

Burchett was promoted to Field Operations Captain in March of 2019. As the Field Operations Captain, Burchett was over the:

• Criminal Investigations Division

• Crime Reduction Unit

• Crime Scene Investigations

• Vice and Narcotic Investigations

• Special Response Team

• K9 Unit

• Critical Incident Peer Support Team

• Crisis Negotiation Team

Chief Burchett has attended numerous trainings throughout her career to include:

• the Public Safety Leadership Institute through CPCC

• Command College through CMPD

• MPA Public & Nonprofit Management Academy through UNCC

• University of North Carolina School of Government Municipal and County Administration

• 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.

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.

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.

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

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 Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office on January 27, 2003, and 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 April 2024, Captain Klinglesmith graduated from the University of North Carolina. Specifically, the Chapel Hill School of Government’s Municipal and County Administration Course. He remains actively engaged with the community. Captain Klinglesmith routinely presents alongside county officials in programs such as:

• Gov 101
• Walk With Us
• Citizens’ Academy

Captain Klinglesmith also plays a key role in developing future leaders. He instructs new supervisors on policy, including high-liability areas. He focuses on protecting both employees and the public while reducing organizational risk.

Captain Klinglesmith is an active instructor in several specialized areas, including:

• Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST)
• Drug Recognition Expert training through the North Carolina Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch
• North Carolina Concealed Carry Handgun Instructor

He and his team were instrumental in leading the Sheriff’s Office through the NC Law Enforcement Accreditation process. They became only the third Sheriff’s Office in the state to achieve this distinction. This accomplishment reflects a sustained commitment to transparency, accountability, and professional excellence. Accreditation requires:

• compliance with rigorous standards
• regular review of policies and procedures
• independent assessment of operations

Through this process, the Office ensures it is exceeding industry standards. At the same time, they maintain current, effective policies that enhance:

• service delivery
• reduce liability
• strengthen public trust

In December 2024, Captain Klinglesmith completed the prestigious FBI National Academy, Session #292. This accomplishment is achieved by less than one percent of law enforcement officers worldwide.

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