Sheriff Burnis Wilkins began pursuing his career in public service as a teenager by serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Northwoods Volunteer Fire Department and as an auxiliary dispatcher for the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office while in high school. He later joined Lumberton Rescue & EMS as an EMT, and now serves as an honorary member for his over 30 years of volunteer service.

Sheriff Wilkins was sworn in as a police officer with the Lumberton Police Department in 1981. He joined the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office in 1982 as a patrol deputy. Sheriff Wilkins was afforded the opportunity to work in multiple divisions, including becoming a Drug Division Supervisor and Supervisor of a federally funded Drug Task Force in Hoke and Robeson Counties, eventually being promoted to Chief of Detectives. In 1992, Sheriff Wilkins was selected to serve with the N.C. Department of Crime Control & Public Safety as a state agent, with the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division. Sheriff Wilkins concluded his career as a sworn Special Deputy U.S. Marshal assigned to the Eastern District of N.C. Violent Fugitive Task Force.


Sheriff Wilkins initially retired in 2012 and ran a successful campaign to become a Lumberton City Councilman. Shortly after winning a second term as a City Councilman, Sheriff Wilkins was encouraged to file for the seat of the sheriff, as the sheriff at that time had announced his upcoming retirement. Sheriff Wilkins ran a successful campaign and won the election in 2018 and again in 2022, becoming the first sheriff to run unopposed in Robeson County.


Throughout Sheriff Wilkins’ career, he has received numerous awards and certifications that he maintains today. Sheriff Wilkins has attained an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Degree, and the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from both, NC Criminal Justice Training & Standards Commission, and the NC Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2012 and currently holds multiple state law enforcement specialized training certifications to include, Specialized Physical Fitness Instructor, Specialized Subject Control & Arrest Techniques Instructor, Rapid Deployment/Active Shooter Instructor, CPR/AED Instructor, Emergency Rescue Technician, Specialized Hazardous Materials Instructor, Specialized First Responder Instructor, Specialized Driving Instructor, N.C. Instructor Trainer, Open Water Diver Certified, N.C. Division of Criminal Information (DCI, MDT, CJLEADS, NCAWARE), Simunitions Instructor and Oleoresin Capsicum Instructor. As an instructor, Sheriff Wilkins has taught thousands of officers and other first responders across the state and continues to do so to this day.


Sheriff Wilkins and his wife Jamie live in Lumberton and enjoy traveling as time allows, and spending time with family and friends. 

We have sought out assistance from our local, state and federal partners and have signed many mutual aid agreements. We have joined on with numerous task forces thereby allowing us to have more manpower and resources. Our volunteer Cold Case Team is doing incredible work behind the scenes and many hurting families have been contacted regarding their loved ones.

The Misdemeanant Confinement Program and Community Service workers are pairing up to pick up litter and keep some of our county grounds clean. The Community Impact Team has already made huge strides in neighborhoods in the county and they just started last week. We have added on new K9’s to have one available 24/7.  While we don’t advertise our every move, our agency is working very hard for you. We don’t seek out praise for our service as it is expected by the public that we serve. I expect my staff to serve you honorably, professionally and with respect and thus far I have received many thanks for their service to you.