MEET THE SHERIFF

Sheriff Edward “Scooter” Basnight was born the son of a US Air Force Service member stationed in Ancon, Panama Canal Zone and was raised in Edenton, NC after moving back to the contiguous United States. He was appointed Sheriff of Chowan County in August 2020.

After successfully completing the Certified Basic Law Enforcement Training at Martin Community College, he became a full-time Police Officer at the Edenton Police Department. He served as a Patrol Officer until April 1999, when he was hired by the Elizabeth City Police Department. As a Community and Patrol Police Officer he served the Southside Community Police Unit as their supervisor, establishing and building relationships with various community groups and empowering citizens to police themselves.

In 2002, Edward was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff for Chowan County. In the performance of his duties as a Deputy Sheriff, Edward provided assistance and support to the Sheriff in daily activities and difficult situations, serving Chowan County for the next 17 years. A long time K-9 handler and trainer, Scooter and his K-9 partner Rico were among the most recognizable members of the Sheriff’s Office. Edward ensured the canine was trained to standard of the North American Police Work Dog Association, and ready to be utilized as a dual Purpose K9 in Narcotic Detection and Patrol. His dedication to leadership and growth are reflected in his career with the Sheriff’s Office where he advanced to the position of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and finally as Chief Deputy under Sheriff Dwayne Goodwin. As Chief Deputy, Edward managed all aspects of the Sheriff’s Office including patrol, investigations, School Resource Officers, and civil process. His duties included professional development of the Sheriff’s Office as a Field Training Officer and In-service Training Coordinator, as well as maintaining personnel, budgets, and general administration of the Sheriff’s Office, Detention Center and Communications Center.

Sheriff Basnight has achieved numerous professional certifications as an Agency Training Coordinator, Intoximeter Operator, Utility Canine Instructor, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor and Rapid Deployment Instructor, holding certifications in both Criminal Justice Training and Standards and Sheriff’s Training and Standards. Sheriff Basnight received his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate in 2008 and received his Advanced Service Award from NC Sheriff’s Training and Standards in 2020.

For his excellence in service to the community, Edward has received special recognition. He received the Award of Valor from VPWDA in 2008, and NAPWDA in 2010 (Virginia and North American Police Work Dog Associations); the E.G. Bond Post 40 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2009; the F.O.P Law Enforcement Integrity Award in 2011; the Chowan county 4H Top Cop Award in 2015; and is a founding member of the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Dive Team.