Commissioner James Shores promoted to TPD Sergeant
Throughout his years of military and police service, James Shores says he has learned to handle unpredictable circumstances by faith. Being named as Seargent comes on the heels of challenges that included the tragedy of losing his oldest daughter, Jasmine “Jazzi” Shores. The daughter of the Davidson County commissioner died in an early morning vehicle crash in Wilkes County on New Year’s Day.
Shores found himself in the sergeant process last January, just after losing his daughter. He didn’t have high hopes for the promotion. “Needless to say, my mind just wasn't in it. So, I didn't rank first so another person was promoted to sergeant. After that, I just figured I would bide my time as a corporal until I retire,” Shores said.
His background includes service in the United States Marine Corps and he served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia). After leaving the military, Commissioner Shores entered into law enforcement and has been an officer for over 29 years. Shores holds an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice Technology from Stanly Community College. He is currently a patrol supervisor with the Thomasville Police Department. Shores says he is likely to remain in that role temporarily due to staffing constraints.
Additionally, Shores is North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police State 2nd vice president and immediate past president of the Davidson County FOP Lodge 97. He is an active member of the Thomasville Masonic Lodge #214 and an active member of Madison Heights Freewill Baptist Church.
“God had, as HE always does, fulfilled a journey in my life, in HIS time and as HE saw fit. Not in my time or when I wanted it to happen,” Shores offered when contacted for an interview. “You see, it's always been a private dream of mine to make sergeant before I retire. But I had given up on that and found solace that corporal was as far as I would go.”
The appointment caught him “off guard.” He shared the story with friends and family on social media last week. He later told the story to Davidson Local. “I got a new sergeant on my team and we have worked well together. Then Friday the major called me up to the chief’s office. There was the chief, major and two captains waiting for me. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. I had completely forgotten a couple months back a sergeant had to medically retire. So, I go in, sit down and try to mentally prepare for whatever is coming. Then the chief starts talking, and for some reason it was like Linus on Charlie Brown, but in the middle, I heard, ‘So we decided to promote you to sergeant. Congratulations!’" Shores admitted it took him a minute to realize what just happened. “I was then overtaken by joy and confusion, and eventually it actually set in.”
James Shores and wife Michelle are both veterans.
Shores lives in the Thomasville community with his wife, Michelle Shores. The couple has four children, Zack Shores, Jasmine Shores (late), Joshua Elliott and Shelby Elliott. Despite this year’s heartbreaks, Shores seemed overjoyed to take on the new post. He gives credit to “My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my wife Michelle and my team at the police department who truly are the heroes and who make me look good.”
