Tag Archive for: #oxfordpolicedepartment

City of Oxford

City Of Oxford’s New Police Chief Begins Role June 8

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— Information from City of Oxford Communications Specialist Sabrina M. Richards

The City of Oxford has hired Brandon Goins as chief of police.

Goins brings more than 16 years of law enforcement experience focused on leadership, public safety operations and community engagement. He’ll begin his new role on June 8, according to a press statement from the city.

Goins currently is a lieutenant with the Bladensburg Police Department in Prince George’s County, MD.

He has been Watch Commander and Special Operations Division Commander there, and briefly served as Acting Chief of Police. In these positions, he oversaw specialized

enforcement and support units including Criminal Investigations, the Special

Assignment Team (SAT), K-9, Traffic, Quick Response Team, Dispatch, Community

Engagement, Hiring and Recruitment, and personnel assigned to federal task

forces. During his tenure in Bladensburg, Goins helped implement the

department’s plainclothes Special Assignment Team and assisted in the formation

of a tactical response team. These efforts contributed to a reduction in crime

over a three-year period.

Prior to joining the Bladensburg Police Department, Goins served 13 years with the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia. During his career in Norfolk, he worked in several assignments, including the Vice and Narcotics Division as a Detective and Undercover Officer, as well as serving as a Corporal, Sergeant, and Acting Lieutenant in the Gang Suppression Unit.

Throughout his career, Goins conducted undercover investigations involving narcotics, currency counterfeiting, and prostitution for both the Norfolk Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. He also conducted surveillance operations involving murder investigations, gang activity, narcotics, and fugitive apprehension cases utilizing various investigative techniques and technology. Goins has been recognized as a narcotics subject matter expert in both Norfolk General District Court and Norfolk Circuit Court.

“Chief Goins went through a very rigorous and competitive selection process. Oxford was fortunate to have had a group of finalists with proven and accomplished records in law enforcement and significant leadership roles,” said City Manager Brent Taylor. “He is committed not only to bettering himself, but also the department he will lead and the community where he will live. This process included interviews with five different panels,

and Chief Goins consistently demonstrated his experience, leadership, and commitment to community policing. Ultimately, he came through as the best fit for the Oxford community.”

Goins has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Norfolk State University, where he graduated Cum Laude. He has completed executive law enforcement training through the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the

Southern Police Institute. He is currently completing the IACP Chief’s Leadership Certification Program. Throughout his career, Goins has received numerous honors and recognitions, including the Hampton Roads Crime Line Top Cop Award, the Norfolk Police Distinguished Service Medal, a Norfolk Police Commendation Letter, and two nominations for Top Cop from the National Association for Police Organizations.

Oxford Police Dept

Oxford Police Arrest Juvenile In Connection With Report Of Gun Fired Into An Occupied Vehicle

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-Information from the Oxford Police Department

On January 30, 2026, Oxford Police officers responded to the area of Granville Street and Spring Street after receiving a report of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located and made contact with two individuals who reported that they had been shot at by an unknown juvenile male. The victims’ vehicle sustained visible damage, including two bullet holes.

While canvassing the area, officers obtained information indicating the suspect had entered a residence on Orange Street. Officers made contact with the occupant of the residence and, following a brief investigation, determined the suspect was inside.

The suspect, a 16-year-old juvenile, was taken into custody and transported to the Oxford Police Department for processing.

During the investigation, officers recovered a stolen 9mm handgun. The juvenile was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied vehicle  and possessing a stolen firearm.

Oxford Police Dept

Oxford Police Charge One In Connection With Nov. 30 Death

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One person is in jail in connection with a homicide that occurred late last month in Oxford.

According to information from the Oxford Police Department released Friday, Dec. 19, 30-year-old Sheaulynne Harris was charged with aid and abet first-degree murder in the Nov. 30 death of Toshawnka Wyche.

Harris was transported to the Granville County Jail, where she is being held without bond.

This investigation remains ongoing.

 

Oxford Police Investigate Nov. 30 Shooting Death

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— information from Oxford Police Department

On November 30, 2025, at approximately 9:43 p.m., officers of the Oxford Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in reference to reports of shots being fired in the area. Upon arrival, officers located a male subject near his vehicle who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The individual was identified as Toshawnka Rashaan Wyche, date of birth 1/08/1977, of Oxford.

Mr. Wyche was transported to a local medical facility, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

The Oxford Police Department Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene and is conducting a thorough investigation into this incident. The Department extends its deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Wyche during this difficult time.

Anyone with information pertinent to this incident is encouraged to contact the Oxford Police Department or Crime Stoppers.

Oxford Police Dept

Off-Duty Oxford Police Officer Injured Friday In Traffic Accident Helping Pedestrians At Busy Intersection

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— From City of Oxford Communications Specialist Sabrina Richards

An off-duty Oxford police officer heading into work early Friday morning was struck by a vehicle when he stopped to help two pedestrians – one in a wheelchair – as they attempted to cross a busy intersection.

The unnamed officer was taken to Duke University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to information from the city’s Communications Specialist Sabrina Richards.

One of the pedestrians also was taken to Duke or further evaluation and the second pedestrian was transported to Granville Health System.

The incident occurred about 6 a.m. along N.C. 96 – just north of the I-85 interchange – near the Days Inn, according to information from Richards, when the officer observed two citizens attempting to cross a busy intersection and recognized an immediate threat to their safety. The officer stopped to render aid.

“During this time, one of the citizens, who was crossing the intersection in a wheelchair, was struck by an oncoming vehicle. As the officer turned to assist the individual in the wheelchair, both the officer and the assisting citizen were struck by a second vehicle,” the statement read.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol is conducting the investigation into the incident. At this time, no charges have been filed.

The City of Oxford and the Oxford Police Department are grateful for the swift response of emergency personnel and ask the community to keep the officer and the citizen in their thoughts.

City of Oxford

Oxford Police Chief Patricia Ford Resigns

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The City of Oxford announced Tuesday afternoon the resignation of Police Chief Patricia Ford.

Ford was the first female captain and the first female chief for the Oxford Police Department. She leaves with 29 years of service in law enforcement.

City commissioners thanked Ford for her dedication to the police department and to the community during the city’s Public Safety Committee meeting on Nov. 3 for her long-standing commitment to the citizens of Oxford.

“I appreciate the support the entire board has given to the pd; It means a lot to me. My leadership philosophy has always been different. Instead of standing at the top and letting direction trickle down, I believe in standing at the bottom to lift everyone up. My role has always been to support the officers and staff who serve this community every day.”

No further details were released.

 

Oxford Police Dept

Oxford Police, ALE Agents Arrest Four On Drug Charges

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Four Oxford residents face a slew of drug charges following an investigation by the Oxford Police Department and ALE special agents earlier this week.

On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, ALE special agents and the Oxford Police Department, executed a search warrant at Four Corners Food Mart, located at 1104 Goshen St. in Oxford, after receiving complaints of drug sales at the location.

As a result of the investigation, two employees and two owners were charged with a total of 21 charges, which included 14 felonies. During the search, agents seized more than 3.5 pounds of marijuana,oxycodone, Adderall, Xanax pills, Ecstasy tablets and Suboxone, as well as one handgun and more than $11,000.

“The Oxford Police Department is appreciative for the joint effort in making our community safer,” Chief Pat Ford said in a press release issued Thursday. “Thank you to the agents and officers involved.”

Charged in connection with the case are:

  • Abraham Saif Assaedi, 27, was charged with Felony Conspire to Sell Marijuana, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Felony Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle/Place for Controlled Substances and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
  • Saif Alsaidi, 71, was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Felony Conspire to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Felony Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle/Place for Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
  • Nikki Davis, 47, was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Felony Conspire to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Felony Trafficking Opium or Heroin, Possession with Intent to  Manufacture/Sell/Delivery Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle/Place for Controlled Substances, Felony Possession Schedule II Controlled Substances, Felony Possession Schedule I Controlled Substance, Simple Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Simple Possession of Schedule III Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.
  • Felicia Ann Hayes, 47, was charged with Felony Possession with the Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Felony Conspire to Sell Marijuana and Simple Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Oxford Police Dept

Oxford Announces Interim Police Chief

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The City of Oxford has announced that former Oxford Police Department Captain Pat Ford will return to the Police Department to serve as interim police chief. Ford will begin the job on Aug. 2 and will lead the department as it conducts a search for a permanent chief.

Chief Al Coley announced in June that he will retire, effective Aug. 1.

“The City of Oxford is both pleased and thankful to have someone with nearly 25 years of service and experience with the Oxford Police Department to serve in this capacity,” according to a press release issued from the city’s executive offices.

 

Oxford Police Dept

Oxford PD Making Arrests, Obtaining Warrants, Searching For Suspects

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

The Oxford Police Department worked two incidents where three people were shot on January 11 and January 12.  In addition, arrests have been made in a homicide case from December 31, 2019, and in the aftermath of an altercation on December 9, 2019, where a suspect fired multiple shots at a motor vehicle. Both of the December incidents involve 16-year-old suspects.

According to information obtained from the Oxford Police Department:

January 12, 2020, the OPD responded to Granville Medical Center for two persons who had been shot. Officers talked with both victims – Jerome Bumpass, 20 years old, and Lakeem Lyons, 27 years old and determined that the incident took place on Hicks Mill Rd. Both victims were transported out to other medical facilities for treatment. Neither had life-threatening injuries. No suspects have been identified in this case.

January 11, 2020, the OPD responded to Speedway on MLK Blvd. in reference to a shooting victim. The victim, Matthew Jones, 33 years old, reported that he had been shot in the leg by Leo McCoy, 31 years of age. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Warrants have been obtained for McCoy, however, he had not been located as of this publication. Oxford Police Chief Alvin Coley told WIZS News the warrants for McCoy were for “assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.”

The homicide victim from December 31, 2019, was identified as Ms. Sharday Thorpe, age 34, of 306 Lanier St. An arrest warrant was obtained for 1st Degree Murder and the suspect was taken into custody. However, the suspect is 16 years old and the name cannot be released. This is an active investigation and a motive cannot be released.

December 9, 2019, at or near the intersection of Leak and Wilmington Avenues, an altercation occurred where a suspect fired multiple shots at a motor vehicle. The suspect in this case is 16 years old and has been taken into custody. No additional information can be released.

Chief Coley said he believes the crimes are unrelated. He said, “However, I can’t say for sure if all of our recent crimes were all random. However, it does appear that in some cases individuals were purposely shot or shot at for unknown reasons.”

Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent said, “As you might imagine, the City and Police Department are working hard to address the recent incidents, and we feel secure that they will prevail in their efforts to restore the peace.”

Coley said, “As always, each act of crime is a public safety concern, and we will continue to work towards the apprehension of the perpetrator(s).”

U.S. Department of Justice

Oxford Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Illegal Possession of Firearm

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced MAURICE SHAWAYNE HARRIS, a/k/a “Gator”, 38, of Oxford to 60 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised released.

On January 2, 2019, HARRIS pled guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

In January 2018, the Oxford Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop of a vehicle occupied by HARRIS, to investigate a report of shots fired in the area. HARRIS jumped and ran from the vehicle. Inside of that vehicle officers recovered a box of .38 caliber ammunition. Officers traced HARRIS’s flight path and recovered a Taurus model .38 caliber revolver. HARRIS was later arrested by the Oxford Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement. The investigation of this case was conducted by the Oxford Police Department and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case for the government.