ONLY ON 3: Ward talks about run for Bladen Sheriff

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Over the past few weeks we’ve reported on the lies, terminations and investigations that surround the race to be sheriff in Bladen County. Many of you ranted and told us we were picking on the people inside the department and giving candidate Billy Ward a pass. Well, we caught up with Ward today to find out more about him and where he stands on issues.

Ward told WWAY he’s not worried about what’s going on in the Sheriff’s Office now, but instead on what he wants to do once he’s in. The former state trooper said one of his main focuses will be on the drug and gang problems inside county schools.

“I love people, but more than anything else I love our children,” Ward said. “I’m concerned with the children in this county not only at West Bladen and East Bladen, but I’m very concerned at the middle school and elementary school level.”

Ward’s background in law enforcement goes back to 1971 when he decided to become a state trooper. Ward worked for the Highway Patrol for the majority of that decade.

“I left that organization back in the late ’70s as a result of some trauma in my life at that present time,” Ward said.

Ward was attacked by a man while on duty. He still has the hammer he was struck with and the uniform from the incident. Ward says he didn’t die that day for a reason. He believes his current run for Bladen County Sheriff is one of the many things set out for him to do.