ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (rbs news now) — Tensions between Rockingham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kevin Berger and Sheriff Sam Page continue to grow following the sheriff’s criticism of the board during its October 20 meeting.

This has led to an exchange of statements regarding oversight, insurance costs, and a recent wrongful death settlement.

In an October 24 email to rbs news now, Berger said the board of commissioners began a deeper review of the sheriff’s office after concerns were raised by the county’s insurance carrier during the 2024-25 budget process.

“I find it unfortunate you did not include the reason the Board of Commissioners started taking a closer look at the performance of Sam Page as Sheriff,” Berger said in his statement.

Berger explained that the county was informed that its insurer planned to drop coverage because of what it described as multiple failures by Sheriff Page to disclose certain information.

He said those issues resulted in a $190,000 increase in the county’s annual insurance premium and a rise in the per-incident deductible from $10,000 to $200,000.

He said the discovery prompted commissioners to more closely scrutinize the sheriff’s office and revealed “improperly executed contracts, improper conduct by staff, and numerous other problems for which the people have to pay the bill.”

Berger also said a $750,000 wrongful death settlement related to an in-custody incident at the county jail was recently paid, calling it part of the reason the board has continued its oversight of the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Page, in a separate email to rbs news now, disputed Berger’s claims, calling them “distorted” and “misleading.”

Page said his office has complied with all applicable reporting requirements and that any failures to disclose were the responsibility of county management, not the sheriff’s office.

He also said that decisions involving settlements and insurance payments are handled by the county’s insurer and legal counsel, not by him personally, adding that the sheriff’s office had no role in authorizing or paying the $750,000 settlement.

Page said that the sheriff is an independently elected constitutional officer, not subordinate to the Board of Commissioners.

“The Board controls the county’s budget; it does not direct day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office,” he said.

Referring to the October 20 meeting, where Berger interrupted him while speaking during the public-comment period, Page added, “I will say it again, since Chairman Berger interrupted me the first time—he needs to ‘know his role.’”

The disagreement follows a tense public exchange at that meeting, during which Page accused commissioners of failing to support law enforcement and Berger warned the sheriff that his comments violated meeting decorum.

Page later said his remarks were protected under the First Amendment and that he had a legal right to speak.

The original rbs news now article that sparked the dispute can be read here.

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“I find it unfortunate you did not include the reason the Board of Commissioners started taking a closer look at the performance of Sam Page as Sheriff. During the 24-25 Budget process, we were informed insurance planned to drop coverage due to Sam Page failing to disclose information on several occasions. Our out-of-pocket premium increased by $190,000 and the per incident deductible increased from $10,000 to $200,000. Prior to this, we believed the narrative Page provided when incidents occurred. Once the insurance company informed us of the issues, we started taking a closer look. As a result, we have found improperly executed contracts, improper conduct by staff, and numerous other problems for which the people have to pay the bill. 
Just recently, payment was made in the amount of $750,000 in a wrongful death case stemming from an incident in the jail. This was touched on during the meeting, as was the actual reason for our continued oversight.”

Kevin Berger’s full statement to rbs news now

“It’s unfortunate that Chairman Kevin Berger continues to distort the facts and attempt to mislead the public about both the operations of the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and my right to speak at public meetings.

During the October 20, 2025 meeting of the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners, after I lawfully signed up to speak during the public-comment period, Chairman Berger attempted to silence me—interrupting and warning that my remarks supposedly violated “decorum.” I have since consulted with legal counsel and reviewed the governing state law and federal case law on limited public-forum speech. There was no breach of decorum, and my comments were fully protected by the First Amendment.

As for Chairman Berger’s statement to rbs:
• The Sheriff’s Office has complied with applicable legal and reporting requirements in practice by county government at that time. All relevant information about the incidents in question were disclosed to the public at large—which includes county management—within hours of occurrence. The responsibility and failures to disclose were theirs, not my office.
• Any settlements or judgments are handled by the county’s insurer and county legal counsel—not the Sheriff. The decision to settle any civil litigation was theirs, not mine, and to suggest that I personally caused a specific settlement payment is a misrepresentation by Chairman Berger on how civil litigation and insurance resolution work in county government.

The Sheriff is a constitutionally independent officer, elected by and accountable to the people—not subordinate to the Board of Commissioners. The Board controls the county’s budget; it does not direct day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office. 

I will say it again, since Chairman Berger interrupted me the first time— he needs to ‘know his role.’”

Sam Page’s full statement to rbs news now