Capt. Jack Scarborough has retired from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office.

He is from Hatteras Island. He graduated from Cape Hatteras School.

He’s still from Hatteras Island. He lives in Buxton with his spouse Melissa Scarborough.

Jack Scarborough started with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 14, 1998 as a patrol deputy. He was a K9 handler with Astor, his furry partner.

In 2006, he became sergeant in the Hatteras Island District of the Dare County Sheriff’s Office. He was then tapped as lieutenant of patrol in 2015.

In 2021, Jack Scarborough accepted captain of communications. The telecommunicators staffing the retirement gathering put together a slide presentation and decorations in the Emergency Operations Center, a buffet that ran almost halfway down the hall, and made sure that folks knew about the event held May 30, 2025.

All the chairs in the operations center were in use. More were pushed in. Quite a crowd gathered.

Jack Scarborough led with quiet strength and calm and he was lauded for that.

“He made it a great place to work,” said Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughty. “We appreciate everything you’ve done.”

A tribute posted on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page reports that Scarborough was the first captain of communications to complete telecommunicator certification courses. “He has been known to put on a headset when a shift is busy.”

The tribute reported, “During Jack’s four-year tenure at communications, morale has been boosted.”

Said another speaker, “You did bring life back into Central. We’ve been blessed to have had you.”

Others acknowledged Scarborough’s contributions.

In January 2023, Scarborough was tapped as Employee of the Month for Dare County. Most recently, he was named the Director of the Year from the North Carolina Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials.

In September 2001, he received a Life Saving Award for professional performance of duty in a shark attack and in October 1994 he received a Special Recognition Certificate from then-Sheriff Bert Austin.

In the community, Scarborough serves as chief of the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad. He has served as a volunteer firefighter and an emergency medical technician.

The end of the tribute states: “It is our honor and privilege to check Captain Jack Scarborough 10-42 for the final time. We wish you all the best with your new endeavor of Blue Line Charters. Tight Lines and Smooth Sailing. Congratulations, Captain Jack!”

Captain Jack Scarborough starts a new career July 1, 2025, running fishing charters for Blue Line Charters. He docks at Oden’s Dock in Hatteras village.

He will also continue as the law enforcement liaison with the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program for Dare County.

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