Biden nominates three U.S. Marshals to serve in North Carolina districts

President Joe Biden is nominating three U.S. Marshals to serve in North Carolina districts.

The nominees include Terry J. Burgin, for the western district, Glenn McNeill, for the eastern district and Catrina Thompson for the middle district, according to information shared with The News & Observer by Dhara Nayyar, the White House’s regional communications director.

What are U.S Marshals?

North Carolina has a total of three U.S. Marshal districts, each headed by a U.S. Marshal. The president has the power to appoint a U.S Marshal for each judicial district.

The U.S Marshal Service holds a “uniquely central position in the federal justice system by being involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s website.

Tasks can range from protecting members of the judicial family, providing physical security in courthouses, transporting and producing prisoners for court proceedings, executing court orders and arrest warrants and more, the website says.

Terry J. Burgin: Nominee for U.S. Marshal Western District of North Carolina.

Burgin has served as the district security officer for the United States Marshals Service for the Western District of North Carolina since 2018.

He also serves as the sergeant of the police reserves for the Lincolnton Police Department.

From 2005 to 2016, Burgin was a court security officer with the United States Marshals Service. He previously served as Chief of the Lincolnton Police Department and earned an associate’s degree from Gaston College in 1987.

Current U.S. Marshal: Vacant

Glenn McNeill: Nominee for U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina

McNeill was commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol from 2017 to 2021. He has held several other roles since 1993, when he first joined the North Carolina State Highway Patrol as a trooper. McNeill was a major and director of training from 2014 to 2017, a captain and troop commander from 2012 to 2014 and assigned within the Special Operations Section from 2004 to 2012.

McNeill received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mount Olive in 2001. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Current U.S. Marshal: Michael East

Catrina Thompson: Nominee for U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of North Carolina

Thompson has served as the chief of the Winston-Salem Police Department since 2017. She’s held various other roles with the department since joining as an officer in 1994. She served as the assistant chief from 2016 to 2017, captain from 2014 to 2016, lieutenant from 2006 to 2014, sergeant from 2003 to 2006 and corporal from 1998 to 2003.

Thompson received her master’s degree from Appalachian State University in 2009 and her bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University in 1992.

Current U.S. Marshal: Steven Gladden