Richard Gilliland is the Director of Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement. In his role, he oversees the operations of the animal shelter and sworn and non-sworn enforcement officers. Richard Gilliland has been the director since January 2022 and is a sworn Deputy Sheriff.  

Prior to his current position, he spent his career working full-time in law enforcement. Richard was a Deputy with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office from 2009-2018. In 2018, he started working at Granite Falls Police Department as a patrol lieutenant. During his career in law enforcement, he has received a variety of certificates including but not limited to, the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate with the North Carolina Sheriff’s Standards and North Carolina Criminal Justice Standards, LEO Driving Instructor, LEO Firearms Instructor, Tactical Officers Certificate, and FBI-LEEDA Leadership Trilogy.

Richard Gilliland received his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University and has also received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Appalachian State University.

Richard Gilliland, MPA

Animal Care Enforcement Director

180 Government Way

Lenoir, NC 28645

Office: 828-572-4535

Rgilliland@caldwellcountync.org