REHIRED DEPUTY MAKING MOST OF SECOND CHANCE
Sheriff Rehires Bruce White, Places Officer on Lake Patrol

Lincoln County Sheriff's Department lake patrol officer Bruce White talks to a boater on the lake.
Photo by Jon Mayhew/The Carolina Scoop

By Jon Mayhew
Publisher

DENVER -- Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy Bruce White is as tough as they come. And while the newest Lake Norman patrol officer stands more than 6 feet tall, he's as humble and good-hearted as any man can be, just like his boss -- Sheriff Tim Daugherty.

White readily admits that he made a mistake -- despite friends trying to intervene -- and has spent considerable time coming to grips with his actions and how to turn the negatives into positives. Last summer, White was one of many law enforcement officers who attended a North Carolina State Troopers Golf Tournament in Lincolnton.

When it was time to go, White -- who had been drinking -- was going to drive despite at least two fellow officers trying to take the keys away.

"I didn't think I was impaired, and as it turned out, that was part of the problem," said White.

What happened next is widely known. White ran into Ralph Laney's residence in Boger City.

Laney came out after White ran into a wall of the garage and tried to take the keys away. That's when White came to and left.

He was later arrested and charged with driving while impaired and plead guilty earlier this year to the charges. White resigned from his narcotics position with the Sheriff's Office the weekend of the incident.

White called the previous year "tough" but said it's also been a blessing.

And while working for his brother as well as a landscaper, White knew that he couldn't walk away from law enforcement and the 12 years he spent with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has two lake patrol officers who make sure the Lincoln County portion of the lake is safe.
Photo by Jon Mayhew/The Carolina Scoop

PRINCIPLE OF A SECOND CHANCE BIBLICALLY BASED

As the Bible says, where mercy is shown, mercy is given. Enter Sheriff TIm Daugherty.

Daugherty said for the past year, he's counseled with White on numerous occasions. Sometimes, the meetings were conversations.

Other times, Sheriff Daugherty said he'd cry and pray with White.

"I believe he's sincere and generally apolegetic for what he's done," said Daugherty.

The humbleness shown by White led Daugherty to make a decision -- a decision viewed by some as politically catastrophic in some circles and viewed by some as a compassionate, caring act.

He hired Bruce White back.

July 4 marked the first day Deputy White came back to work at the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department. He was assigned as the second lake patrol officer, joining fellow deputy Jason Hutchinson.

"I'm grateful for the second chance," said White. "I remember the incident as one of the worst days of my life, yet it was a turning point."

His first step in what he called "rock bottom" numerous times started at church the following Sunday. Ironically, he attends the same church as some members of the Laney family.

Instead of running from the problem, or making excuses, White stood up and confessed to his church family.

According to White, Ralph Laney's sister was sitting in church when White told the congregation what happened. He started to walk back to his seat when he was stopped by Laney's sister.

"She said to me 'I want you to know that Ralph forgives you,'" said White, tears coming to his eyes. "I guess that's the way the Lord works sometimes."

The forgiveness was instant, and the healing began.

Part of making things right involved going and talking directly with Ralph Laney.

Laney was not only open to White's visit, Laney told WSOC-TV "everybody deserves a second chance."

Bruce White is living proof that getting a second chance -- and making the most of that second chance -- is possible.

"The fact is, even officers are human and we all make mistakes," said an apolegetic White. "I'm hoping that my fellow officers and the general public will learn something from the huge mistake I made."

Part of learning something is telling the story. White said he's already spoken to at least one Sunday School class about his fall and rise.

He's also available to speak to anyone who would listen.

Sheriff Daugherty said he's confident he made the right decision to hire White back.

White said he's received a lot of support from both fellow officers and the public.

"The first day I was back, my phone rang off the hook," said White. "Everyone was asking me how I was doing. It was really touching."

Publisher's Note: Bruce and I spent a couple of hours on the lake, working on this story. It's good to have him back on the force. If you'd like for Bruce to come and share a great story of forgiveness and God's grace, call 704-732-9050 and leave a message or email him at bwhite@lincolnsheriff.org

Also, see For What It's Worth for more on Bruce returning to the Sheriff's Office.