ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (rbs news now) — In a tense Rockingham County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday night, Sheriff Sam Page delivered marks accusing the board of failing to support his deputies and using his office as a political target amid his ongoing campaign against State Sen. Phil Berger.

Page began his remarks by referencing a recent domestic violence incident in which his deputies exchanged gunfire with an armed suspect on October 7.

The suspect was killed, and no deputies were injured.

“Thirteen days ago, my deputies put their lives on the line to arrest a domestic violence offender that was potentially armed and dangerous,” Page said. “Ultimately, the suspect was shot and died at the scene. The female victim of domestic violence was protected by my deputies.”

Page thanked Commissioner Jeff Kallam for contacting him after the incident but criticized the rest of the board for not checking on his deputies’ well-being.

He also took issue with a social media post from Chairman Kevin Berger, saying it accused him of creating “a mess” in Rockingham County.

“When I read on social media that our county board chair made a statement that he is going to ‘fix the mess that Sheriff Sam Page has created,’ the first thought that comes to mind is something from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson — you need to know your role, Mr. Chair,” Page said. “I’ve been elected for the past seven terms by the good citizens to protect and serve Rockingham County, and I stand on my record of transparency.”

Berger interrupted Page multiple times during the meeting, reminding him of the board’s decorum rules and asking County Attorney Clyde Albright to clarify whether Page’s comments were appropriate for the public comment period.

“As the elected sheriff, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to uphold our North Carolina laws,” Page continued. “These public attacks and misinformation efforts by the board only undermine public safety and the trust we’ve worked hard to earn.”

Page accused some commissioners of retaliating against him and his office following public opposition to a proposed casino development near Camp Carefree two years ago.

He also criticized what he described as “noncompetitive pay” and “benefit reductions” for his deputies and detention officers.

“We are the largest law enforcement agency in Rockingham County, and we are number three in pay,” he said. “If you valued our deputies, you would pay them competitively and show appreciation for the brave men and women who keep our schools, churches, and communities safe. In my opinion, we will only see a positive change in leadership, in vision, economic, and growth, when some of you on the board are no longer here.”

As Page’s speech grew more pointed, Berger halted him several times, calling his remarks “personal attacks” and instructing him to “stick to the rules.”

“I just wonder what our county employees and the public think when they hear the disparaging remarks directed toward the sheriff’s office,” Page said before being interrupted again. “When we place politics over public safety, it creates a dangerous situation for our citizens.”

After Page concluded, Vice Chairman Houston Barrow said he had personally spoken to the deputies involved in the earlier shooting.

Berger said he also had done so but had chosen to do so privately.

“I didn’t reach out in a manner to get political attention,” Berger said. “That was not a political event.”

The confrontation shows the growing political tension in Rockingham County, where Page — a seven-term sheriff — is currently running against Sen. Phil Berger, the Republican leader of the North Carolina General Assembly and father of Chairman Kevin Berger.

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