With an impressive 35-year career in Lincoln County law enforcement, among Terry’s hallmarks are justice, integrity and service.
A prominent citizen probably best summed up Terry’s service to the people in this quote: “He blends justice with kindness, and he has been kind to a lot of people, and it helped to give justice.”
Terry began his lengthy career with the City of Lincolnton Police, by declining a job offer with the F.B.I. in Charlotte. Himself, a 5th generation member of the last six generations residing in Lincoln County, vowed to focus on serving and protecting the local folks. Terry has served as a police dispatcher, patrol officer, chief criminal investigator, chief of police, police department consultant, reserve police officer and longtime justice academy, community college and public safety instructor.
Leading the department 14 years as police chief, he retired with 30 years credible service in 2003. Prior to his chief’s appointment, he served 13 years as supervisor of criminal investigations. In addition to continuing his local service as a Lincolnton reserve police officer and specialized instructor, he commutes to his assigned duty stations as an United States government contract employee of the United States Marshals Service.
His current assignment, primarily at the Charles Raper Jonas Federal Building in Charlotte, includes protection of the judicial process – ensuring the safe and secure conduct of court proceedings, protecting federal judges, jurors, and other members of the federal judiciary. His mission is accomplished by anticipating and deterring threats and using innovative protective techniques. Terry serves also as firearms qualification instructor for the court security officers division. He recently completed 5 years as a “sworn special deputy” in the US Marshals Service Court Security Officers Program.
Terry is 54 years of age and celebrating 10 years of marriage to Kimberly Berryhill Burgin. Kim, also a lifelong resident of Lincoln County, works for Fifth Third Bank in Lincolnton, (formerly working for Lincoln Bank and later First Charter). The Burgins have one child, Amber Faith, age 7. Amber is completing first grade in a Lincoln County public school and is a cheerleader for Upward. They reside in the Long Shoals community and attend Long Shoals Wesleyan Church, founded by Terry’s ancestors over 100 years ago.
Terry is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 138th class at Quantico, VA.; the 21st class of the Administrative Officers Management Program, Garner, N.C. and received an A. A. degree in Criminal Justice from Gaston College. He completed 31 semester credits in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from the University of Virginia and N.C. State University respectively.
