RALEIGH - M. Wayne Hobgood was named chief of Butner Public Safety today by Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan E. Beatty.

Hobgood replaces Chief Mike Dupree who retired from the Dept. of Crime Control and Public Safety after 30 years of service.

Hobgood has worked for the state-run fire and police agency since 1984, starting out as a safety officer and working his way through the ranks as a fire safety inspector, captain and fire chief. In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of major.

"Wayne Hobgood has worked hard at Butner Public Safety for the residents and agencies in the community during the past 20 years. He has had done an excellent job," said Beatty. "I am confident in his ability to lead this unique state agency that has a wider variety of duties than most law enforcement agencies in North Carolina."

Butner Public Safety is the sole police and fire authority over a 36 square-mile area that was once a military training camp. Now, it is home to more than 6,000 residents, 25 state and federal institutions and more than 150 private businesses both large and small.

Hobgood was born in Oxford and graduated in 1980 from Webb High School. In 1982, he graduated from Wayne Community College and in 1995, he received an associate of applied science degree in fire protection technology from Durham Technical Community College.

Hobgood is certified as a fire fighter, fire inspector, fire instructor and law enforcement officer. He also graduated from the state's Public Managers Program in 2001.

Hobgood and his wife, Deborah, have two children, 16-year-old Julie and 12-year-old Allie. Hobgood loves to hunt and fish and says he spends a lot of time on the water.

As their new chief, Hobgood says he is looking forward to serving as chief and continuing to work with the good employees of Butner Public Safety.

Butner Public Safety has 43 sworn officers who serve as both police officers and firemen. They serve all citizens within the territorial jurisdiction including the patients, inmates and school students receiving treatment within the state and federal institutions.