GOV. EASLEY NAMES CLAY AND LOCKLEY TO HEAD HIGHWAY PATROL

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today appointed William Fletcher Clay, Jr. as the next Colonel of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP). In addition, Easley appointed Cecil Eugene Lockley as Lt. Colonel. Clay replaces Colonel Richard W. Holden, Sr. who is retiring June 30. Lockley replaces Lt. Colonel Wilson M. “Gene” Autry who retired on May 31, 2003. Clay and Lockley are currently serving as Majors in the NCSHP.

“Both these men have been preparing to accept leadership positions for many years,” said Easley. “I had every confidence in them when I appointed them both as Majors in 2002 and they have not let me down. The team of Clay and Lockley and the majors with whom they work will provide strong management and leadership within the Patrol.”

Clay, a resident of Raleigh, has served on the NCSHP since 1979 when he was first assigned to Troop C, District III in Raleigh. He was promoted to Line Sergeant in 1990, First Sergeant in 1993, Lieutenant in 1996 and Captain in 1999. Clay earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Davidson County Community College and is a 1991 graduate of the Administrative Officers’ Management Program at N.C. State University. In 1988, the Raleigh Jaycees named him “Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer”. He is currently a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the North Carolina Police Executives’ Association.

Lockley, a native of Holly Springs and resident of Creedmoor, has served on the NCSHP since 1977 when he was first assigned to Troop C, District IV in Warren County. He was promoted to Line Sergeant in 1984, First Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant in 1998 and Captain in 2000. Lockley attended N.C. Central University. Lockley has served all across North Carolina, including Bladen, Buncombe, Catawba, Cumberland, Gaston, New Hanover, Pitt, Wake and Warren Counties.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol was created in 1929 and its primary mission is to reduce collisions and make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible. The NCSHP now employs 1,445 Troopers and 365 Motor Carrier Officers to cover more than 78,000 miles of North Carolina roadways.

###