Town of Burgaw announces new police chief

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) –The Town of Burgaw has named James Rowell as its next Chief of Police, with his appointment set to take effect on August 4.

According to a news release, Rowell will take over for current Chief Jim Hock, who is retiring on August 31 after years of service to the Burgaw community. To ensure a smooth transition, Rowell will work alongside Chief Hock throughout the month of August.

With more than 26 years of law enforcement experience, 23 of those in supervisory roles, the town says Rowell brings a wealth of leadership and a strong focus on community policing. He most recently served as a captain with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, overseeing divisions including Civil, School Resource Officers, Courts, and Investigations.

During his tenure with the sheriff’s office, Rowell also served as Public Information Officer for eight years and led the Special Response Team for nearly a decade. His administrative background includes compliance reporting, media relations, and participation in budget planning.

Rowell is a certified General Instructor and Rapid Deployment Instructor with more than 2,800 hours of law enforcement training, including 400 hours in community policing. He is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Executive Program at NC State University and the UNC Institute of Government.

“We are excited to welcome Chief Rowell to the Town of Burgaw,” said Town Manager James Gantt. “His experience, training, and community-centered leadership philosophy align perfectly with our vision for the Burgaw Police Department. We are confident he will lead with integrity and build strong connections with our community.”