New Hanover set to choose new sheriff

We’ll find out for sure Monday night just who will be the next sheriff of New Hanover County.

Two men are vying for the job. Both Chief Deputy Ed McMahon and David Smithey have extensive experience in the sheriff’s department, but one is heavily favored.

“I am so excited about the opportunity to serve the community, I love the people, I love this area, and I love the sheriff’s department,” said McMahon.

Smithey owns a dive shop in Carolina Beach. Before retiring three years ago, he served more than twenty years with the sheriff’s department and left with the rank of major. “It would do me proud to be part of that, and it would do me proud to be a part of the best in the nation and the state as far as law enforcement goes.”

McMahon has spent the past year-and-a-half as Sheriff Sid Causey’s right hand man. He’s Causey’s choice to fill the job and has already taken over some responsibilities by sitting in at county commissioner meetings.

Both candidates say the role as sheriff seems to have its good and bad days like any job, but the reward for them is serving a community they both feel especially close to.