Pasquotank Sheriff Fires Deputies including Lt. Nina Daniels just after the Republican primary election.
PASQUOTANK COUNTY, N.C. —Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten has terminated four deputies — including Lt. Nina Daniels, the very woman who challenged him in Tuesday’s Republican primary.
Lt. Nina Daniels, who oversaw the department’s School Resource Officer division, ran against Wooten in the GOP primary this week. The race wasn’t particularly close — Wooten pulled in 2,994 votes while Daniels received 958, sweeping all nine precincts across Pasquotank County.
But less than 24 hours after the election results settled, Daniels says she was fired in the sheriff’s department parking lot — in front of multiple employees who were not administrators.
Daniels confirmed the termination but declined to elaborate further on the situation.
THREE OTHER DEPUTIES ALSO SHOWN THE DOOR
Daniels wasn’t the only one sent packing.
Three additional employees were also terminated Wednesday:
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Major Aaron Wallio
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Investigator Sabrina Owens
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Deputy Mike Boone
Wallio confirmed his termination late Wednesday evening.
What has some folks scratching their heads is the timing surrounding Wallio. He was reportedly set to retire next month after nearly three decades with the department.
SHERIFF WOOTEN KEEPS IT SHORT
When asked about the situation, Sheriff Tommy Wooten confirmed the dismissals but refused to go into detail.
Instead, he kept it brief.
“We have parted ways,” Wooten said. “Everything was good and respectful.”
Because the matter involves personnel decisions, the sheriff said he could not discuss further details.
Just days before the firing, Wallio had appeared before the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners requesting permission to retire his badge, service weapon and department phone number after his career.
The board approved that request unanimously in a 5-0 vote.
Wallio’s career with Pasquotank County stretched back 28.5 years, beginning in 1998.
As of now, Wooten have not publicly explained why the four deputies were terminated.
