GOLDSBORO, N.C. -- Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders died Friday morning after suffering an apparent heart attack.
Officials said it appears he suffered a massive heart attack at his home. Wayne County paramedics came to his aid and took him to Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro. The hospital's emergency room staff treated him, but he was pronounced dead.
"Please keep Sheriff Winders' family and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office in your prayers," sheriff's Maj. Tom Effler said in a statement.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard said he considered Winders a friend and has great respect for the veteran Wayne County lawman.
"I had the pleasure of meeting Sheriff Winders when I was with the SBI," Woodard said. "He was always the type of sheriff that you'd want to model yourself after. He was community-oriented. He was always full of jokes and full of laughter."
Wilson and Wayne deputies worked closely together on a number of cases, Woodard said. Winders provided the Wayne County Sheriff's Office helicopter for aerial surveillance in neighboring Wilson County.
"He was always very courteous and respectful," Woodard said. "He's going to be truly missed by the Wilson County Sheriff's Office and definitely by me, because I do consider him a friend as well."
Woodard said Wilson County deputies are available to provide support and mutual aid.
"Their sheriff's office is definitely going to go through a mourning stage," Woodard said. "A lot of people liked Sheriff Winders. He is going to be truly missed, I can assure you of that."
Maj. Fane S. Greenfield Sr., the Wayne County deputy with the most years of service, has been appointed to lead the sheriff's office on an interim basis in accordance with state law. Wayne County commissioners will appoint someone to serve the remainder of Winders's unexpired term.
Gov. Pat McCrory expressed his condolences to Winders's family and Wayne County deputies in a Friday statement.
"Ann and I are saddened to learn of the loss of Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders," McCrory said. "Sheriff Winders was a beloved member of his community, held in high esteem and admired for his faith, values and love for his family. His service to Wayne County since 1994 made his community a better place to live, work and play. We would like to offer our support and prayers for his wife, Teresa, and their children, Ashley, Carianne and Jessica."
Wilson police released a statement Friday afternoon offering sympathy and prayers.
"Sheriff Winders' agency has been a cooperative partner of the Wilson Police Department for many years," the statement says. "We pray for the men and women of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and hope they find peace at this difficult time."
Copyright 2014 - The Wilson Daily Times, N.C.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
