With that said, let’s take a closer look at some of the Sheriff’s comments from the article starting with: 

• Sheriff Manning said his greatest regret since becoming sheriff has been PERHAPS not having the foresight to project the outcome of his personnel decisions about Michelle Pollard, now serving time for obstructing an ongoing drug investigation.

How much foresight does it take to understand when PCSO Lt. Michelle Pollard admits or is caught lying to numerous investigations, repeatedly changes her accounts of her actions surrounding Stacey’s death, uses cocaine and marijuana, exposes herself in public, has adulterous relationships with the Major Crimes Unit Chief and convicted felons and commits numerous other well documented acts that conflict with the oath all Law Enforcement Officers swear upon, and she not only maintains employment as a Law Enforcement Officer but receives a promotion for these acts she is led to think she can get away with murder so to speak?  Simply put, if Sheriff Manning had taken appropriate measures with the felonious Ms. Pollard (termination and a thorough and proper investigation of the known charges) at the onset of her actions, his Office would not have become an embarrassment to Pitt County and STACEY MAY VERY WELL BE ALIVE TODAY!  And after all of this Mac thinks his failure here was PERHAPS his biggest regret!  If anything else during Mac’s tenure as Sheriff even approaches this monumental level of incompetence, the citizens of Pitt County should be fearful for their very safety.     

Next let’s look at another comment:

• “I’m being criticized for not taking proper disciplinary action against Michelle Pollard, but I thought I was making good decisions, compassionate decisions based on my principles and belief system. 

Obviously, at a MINIMUM, Mac should be criticized for the “good and compassionate decisions” he FAILED to make regarding Michelle.  If these decisions were truly driven by his principles and belief system, his principles are warped and his decision making ability is unsuitable for the position of COUNTY SHERIFF!  Does Mac honestly expect anyone to buy this pathetic excuse for his inexcusable actions?  Apparently, he thinks the public is just that ignorant and gullible.

And now let’s look at:

• “A lot of what’s been said out there is not true.”

Mac has taken the ability to make ambiguous statements in hopes of garnering pity or support for his incompetence and transformed it into an art form.  Perhaps his statement was a misguided attempt to discredit the ACCURATE AND CONDEMNING FACTS this website and others have exposed.  What might he find on this website untrue?  NOTHING.  NOT ONE THING!  How unsettling it must be for Sheriff Manning to see the cold hard facts, in black and white, at this website and others.

But folks, we have an opportunity to restore what the citizens of this County deserve from our Sheriff, honesty, integrity and a willingness to blindly serve us, the citizens of this great County.  We can give once proud law enforcement officers the opportunity to hold their head high when they wear the badge of the PCSO.  We can have all that if we choose to vote tomorrow for…………………………… Mr. Neil Elks.  Please get out and vote. 

What many may not know is the author of the letter lived on the same road as Stacey and rode by Stacey and Michelle’s house daily.  Mr. Williams’ routine travels allowed him an opportunity to see the Sheriff developing that “special relationship” with his top gang investigator, PCSO Lt. Michelle Pollard, a.k.a. - NC Department of Corrections Inmate #**********. 

But perhaps there is a “plausible explanation” for Mac’s visits.  For example, Michelle’s house may well have been a secret satellite office of the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office OR her house may have been under cosideration for an episode of Deputies Gone Wild - Pitt County Sheriff’s Office Edition OR Michelle’s neighbors may have DREAMED they saw Mac at her home and found themselves unable to distinguish dreams from reality, much like Michelle’s I DREAMED EVERTHING DEFENSE offered to the SBI OR per Michelle’s Deposition, Mac may have stopped by to FIX HER PIPES AND CHANGE HER BULBS.  OR our favorite, Mac may have been stopped to share a copy of a FACTUALLY ACCURATE 911 call with Michelle and her convicted felon boyfriend, Tommy Ray Thompson.  The call, from yet another neighbor, correctly  stated Stacey “didn’t die the way his wife told you and she has been seeing another man.”  Incredibly, Mac DID ALLOW Michelle and her felonious boyfriend to review this recorded call and assist him in discovering the identity of the caller.  His concern was apparently disproving the factual content of the call.  Even more incredulous, was Mac’s LIE that the source of the call was the Pollard family or one of their assoicates.  Imagine that, a felon, a soon to be felon (Michelle) and Mac listening to the call while feverishly trying to figure it’s source.  If not so pathetic it would be laughable. 

Whatever the reason, we’re sure it’s routine procedure for Mac to frequently visit every officer under his employ, at their personal abode no less, who admits to pushing their epiletic husband in a swimming pool on a freezing night, leaving him in the pool alone, locking him out of the house after pushing him in the pool and then displays her remorse by…………. having group sex the night of her husband’s funeral.  That type of person deserves your “special time” huh Sheriff?

Per our investigator, the rumor referenced in the letter is actually quite true.  Did anyone honestly think Michelle would “resign” without a secured source of income?  And who might assist such an exemplary employee with attaining this monthly stipend?  Ask Mac.  When you do, watch for the tell-tale signs of dishonesty; rapid eye movement, profuse under-arm sweating and momentary lack of cognitive skills.  Additionally, it is also our understanding Lt. Pollard continued to receive these benefits for some time after her incarceration. 

At any rate, a heartfelt thanks go out to Mr. Jerrry Williams for his courage and honesty in penning the following:

With much interest I have observed the Pitt County  Sheriff’s campaign.  In the February 17 edition of the Daily Reflector, there was  a paid political advertisement  written “from the desk of Sheriff Mac Manning”. Much of the text is devoted to Michelle Pollard and the investigation of Stacy Pollard’s death.

I must presume that these are sensitive issues for Sheriff Manning. Regarding the hiring and termination of any sheriff department employee, everyone knows that this can only be done with the sheriff’s approval. So while Sheriff Manning did not hire Michelle Pollard, he “made a conscientious decision in taking disciplinary action” and allowed her to remain employed after seeing questionable behavior in August 2007.  She continued to be employed until she “resigned” effective July 1, 2009.  There is a rumor that she continued to receive workman’s compensation after her termination.

I have voted for Mac Manning in every election since he ran against the incumbent many years ago and made a contribution to his campaign when he ran against the incumbent while at the time I was a registered Republican.  My question for Mac Manning was not selected for the Henry Hinton debate, I presume due to time constraints.  The question was “when much of the above Michelle Pollard was occurring, why did we as Michelle Pollard neighbors see you at her home on multiple occasions?”  I would think that the sheriff’s office would be a much more suitable place for personnel meeting.

Jerry Williams

To My Fellow Citizens of Pitt County:

Many of you may, or may not, know the history of my relationship with Sheriff Mac Manning.  It started in 1998, on the day I was sworn in as Pitt County Commissioner for District 6.  After taking my Oath of office, I witnessed a number of Sheriff’s Deputies enter the Commissioner’s Auditorium.  During a break, I found that these deputies had just lost their jobs because Mac refused to swear them in.  These deputies were with their wives and children. I observed many of their wives crying.  This truly broke my heart, so after the meeting, I went directly to the Pitt County Sheriff’s office and asked Mac why these trained officers were not keeping their jobs.  His response was, “I am responsible for the actions of this department and I need people working for me that I can trust”, indicating that because these officers may have supported their previous Sheriff during the election, Mac could no longer trust them.

            The next dealing I had with Sheriff Manning was over a contract he signed with a phone company regarding the Pitt County Detention Center.  I questioned the Pitt County Attorney and was informed that, legally, the Sheriff could not sign a binding contract.  However, in an effort not to embarrass the Sheriff, the County Commissioners later voted to approve the same contract that Manning had previously signed.  I later found that the phone company’s salesman was a former Sheriff of another county who in the future would contribute money to Mac Manning’s campaign. 

            On several occasions Manning came before the Pitt County Commissioners and requested more money to keep the deputies from leaving the department.  I personally talked with each deputy whom had resigned, only to find not a single officer noted financial reasons for their departure.  They told me they left the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office for more job security after seeing the way other deputies were treated by Sheriff Manning.

            Other things I questioned Sheriff Manning about included: where money came from for so-called “Public Service Announcements” on television, which featured Mac Manning shortly before his 2002 Sheriff’s Election. I also questioned why Mac wanted the Commissioners to budget $1800 for a sniper rifle that could be bought at any retail gun store for $800. 

            Because I was doing what I believed to be my duty as an elected Pitt County Commissioner and steward of the taxpayer’s money, I was becoming a so-called “thorn in the side” of Sheriff Manning.  Prior to the election of 2006, several deputies informed me that Mac Manning was “furious” about my questioning him. I was told that he along with some of his deputies were “plotting” to unseat me as County Commissioner and fill the seat with one of Mac’s good friends, Kenneth Ross.  I immediately started seeing my signs removed from my friends’ yards, and being replaced with Kenneth Ross signs.  When I asked why, they told me that a “Deputy” had told them “I was destroying the Sheriff’s Department, and that they needed me out of office and Ross elected in my place.”  On Election Day there seemed to be more Deputies Sheriff’s working the elections polls than there were working the streets!  Apparently, Mac Manning was getting his revenge by placing well-known Deputies at all the precincts in my district wearing red t-shirts that read, “Vote for Kenneth Ross”.  Kenneth Ross and Mac Manning have lied both to me and about me, many times.

After the dealings I have had over the last twelve years, many recent actions of Sheriff Mac Manning and some Pitt County Sheriff’s Deputies have come as no surprise to me. 

In closing, I am asking you to vote with my family and I, for two people that have never lied to me or the citizens of Pitt County.  These two men are: Neil Elks for Pitt County Sheriff and Dr. Michael House for Pitt County Commissioner District 6.

D. Glenn Bowen, Jr.

Former Pitt County Commissioner, District 6

GET OUT AND VOTE FOLKS, IT’S OUR ONLY CHANCE.

But in our opinion, the endorsement of one particular person and his office would be the grandest prize in Pitt County.  This individual would be the most powerful person in Pitt County, the District Attorney.  You see, in nearly every MURDER or other significant criminal case in Pitt County the office of ONE and ONLY ONE person, the District Attorney, has the power to present his case to the Grand Jury for indictment.  The power of this position and office is so great that even if a person were to commit a well documented crime, complete with confession and video, the person couldn’t be indicted for the crime until the District Attorney chose to present his evidence to the Grand Jury.         

Our local District Attorney, Clark Everette, has not given a public endorsement for either candidate.  But he did give his opinion of Sheriff Mac Manning to Stacey’s family and attorney during the SBI’s Stacey Pollard HOMICIDE investigation.  Mr. Everette remorsefully admitted that Sheriff Manning once had a “CUSHION OF CREDIBILITY” with him and his office.  He further stated that Mac’s actions during the investigation of Stacey’s Death had given him, as the District Attorney, reason to no longer extend any level of credibility to the Sheriff, especially where Mac’s actions regarding Michelle Pollard were concerned.   

 Think about that for a moment.  How damning is it for a District Attorney to call out the highest ranking Law Enforcement Officer in the County, Sheriff Mac Manning, to the family of a man who died a horrendous death at the hands of PCSO Lt. Pollard?  We’re left to interpret District Attorney Everette’s bold declaration of Mac’s LOSS OF CREDIBILITY as an endorsement for Mac’s opposition in the Sheriff’s race, Neil Elks, and for the condemnation of a seated Sheriff. 

If this sounds like sour grapes to some, please challenge us to a Public Polygraph Examination.  We’ll do something Michelle could only dream of……….PASS IT WITH FLYING COLORS!

Only the Daily Reflector or Mac himself could spin this one differently. 

The question ”What more could a family want from a death investigation” was actually posed by Sheriff Mac Manning to Stacey’s family during a recent interview on Talk of the Town.  Mac even went so far as to compare the Pollard families’ continued search for justice to be comparable to that seen when a family loses a loved one to suicide.   Isn’t it amazing how people can use a public forum to not only defend a monumental wrong but quickly follow with an attempt to portray a grief-stricken family who lost a completely innocent son or brother at the hands of a convicted felon and Pitt County Deputy as the perpetrators of evil?  Frankly, we’re amazed lightning didn’t strike the studio during the interview.

But, first things first.  Mac posed the question so how about this.  The family would have liked Mac or the SBI to listen to Michelle’s 911 call and then question Michelle about the call and why her version of events surrounding Stacey’s death changed after taking the SBI administered polygraph.  Michelle stated in her 911 call, through tears and sobbing not seen or heard since Scarlet O’Hara played Rhett Butler like a fiddle,  that Stacey must have fallen in the pool while having a seizure.  Remember Michelle placed this call IMMEDIATELY after finding Stacey in the pool.  Since this story would later change after her failed polygraph examination, it would lead most people to believe the 911 call was REHEARSED and the events PREMEDITATED.  The family would have liked for you, Sheriff Manning, to at least have looked at this!

The family would also have liked Sheriff Manning to immediately remove the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office from Stacey’s death investigation and contact the SBI for the investigation when Mac gained knowledge of the late November drowning death of the spouse of a Pitt County Sheriff’s Office Deputy.  Even the president of the State Sheriff’s Association commented in the News and Observer that this should have been a call made instantly.  To make matters worse, the SBI Agent called to investigate Stacey’s death months after the tragedy, admitted finding crime scene evidence months after the death was like finding “Easter Eggs in August.”  Maybe, if Mac called the SBI the night of Stacey’s death, Lt. Pollard would not have been allowed to burn what was quite possibly damning evidence the day after Stacey’s funeral or she would have thought twice about participating in three-way sex the night of Stacey’s funeral.

Sheriff Manning, you might also want to consider retracting your statement that the person you assigned to be the head of the major crimes unit, Lee Moore, had never to you knowledge had a romantic relationship with Lt. Pollard.  Lee Moore’s ADMISSION to Stacey’s family in front of Pitt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Kilpatrick and Dance that he had indeed had a romantic relationship with Michelle during her marriage to Stacey was the SOLE reason Lee Moore took the families’ issues with the investigation to you.  After all Mac, you refused to meet with the family and sent Lee Moore in your stead.  Bet you wish you hadn’t sent him now.  At worst, your refusal to acknowledge this relationship is dishonest.  At best, it paints you as an INCOMPETENT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.   Stacey’s family would like you to tell us which reason you choose.  

Sheriff Manning, if NOTHING ELSE, you could at the very least admit to Stacey’s family and the citizens of Pitt County that YOU, AND ONLY YOU, MADE A MONUMENTAL MISTAKE BY NOT CALLING THE SBI IMMEDIATELY AFTER STACEY’S DEATH AND QUIT BLAMING OTHERS FOR THE FAILURE YOU AND ONLY YOU HAVE MADE!   After that, you can give us an HONEST reason for not placing the call.

THAT WOULD BE A START SHERIFF MANNING.   WE’RE WAITING.

.

 Please allow us an opportunity to examine each of these actions starting with Mac’s paid advertisement that ran in the Daily Reflector February 17, 2010.  The accusation made by Mac in the advertisement of Barbara Pollard’s lawsuit being a “politically motivated smear campaign” demonstrates both arrogance and a betrayal of the community he is sworn to protect.   Rest assured neither Barbara nor her immediate family have political aspirations.  Far from it in fact.  They desperately wish they could live their lives as they did prior to Stacey’s death.  Perhaps Mac’s attempts to portray Barbara Pollard’s as a “politically motivated smear campaign” director are those of a desperate man who would like nothing more than to shift the public focus away from himself and the events surrounding Stacey’s death and onto someone who Mac may view as unable to defend herself in the local media.  We would like to offer Mac a suggestion.  Focus your efforts related to Barbara Pollard more on asking her forgiveness for your actions and inactions surrounding Stacey’s death and less on using Stacey Pollard’s death and Barbara Pollard’s grief for political gain and spin.

Next we’ll examine Mac’s denial of being aware or privy to the results of Michelle’s polygraph.   It is apparent Mac has an incredibly bad/convenient memory or he has a belief no one will examine his comments to the local media for accuracy.  Why believe this?  Did Mac not state in an interview on WCTI-TV 12 that he was unaware of Michelle Pollard failing an SBI administered lie detector?   Did he not state in his paid advertisement that he was given the SBI investigative report into Stacey’s death in January of  2007.   Perhaps he “forgot” the results of Michelle’s polygraph tests were included in this report.  These results demonstrated someone being dishonest.  Apparently, the dishonest conclusion was accurate since Michelle changed her version of Stacey’s death within minutes of failing the polygraph.   How telling is it that Mac suddenly developed a rapid and repetitive eye twitch while simultaneously losing nearly all cognitive skills while he attempted and finally inaccurately answered questions relating to his knowledge of her failing the polygraph? 

    And what of Mac’s attempts to take the “high road” and run a clean campaign?  It is clear to us this offer was made many days late and many, many dollars short.  This offer was made after he inaccurately portrayed a grieving mother as a “politically motivated smear campaign” director, twisted the truth within an inch of it’s life and danced around facts so often that we are left to wonder if he has any sense of what truth and integrity mean. 

Mac’s proclamation that he initiated the SBI investigation is a classic example of his manipulative skills.  Until the January 24, 2006 meeting between Pitt County Sheriff’s Officers Lee Moore, Karen Kilpatrick, Paula Dance and members of Stacey’s family, Mac Manning had made no effort to contact the SBI for investigative purposes.  Only after Stacey’s family confronted Sheriff Manning’s office with their knowledge of Michelle’s romantic affairs with her superiors and Lee Moore’s resulting admission to the stunned family of Stacey, that he had indeed had a romantic relationship with Michelle Pollard, would Lee Moore even consider taking Stacey’s families concerns and request for an independant investigation by the SBI to Mac.  We firmly hold that Lee Moore’s admission to this affair was the sole reason for Mac’s reluctant request to the SBI.  It’s also unbelievable that Mac would deny Lee Moore’s admission in a letter to Barbara Pollard.  Again, has Mac not reviewed the SBI file he has held for over three years?

Mac’s statement that he viewed the manner in which the topless pictures of his deputy, Michelle Pollard, were revealed as more tasteless than the behavior of Michelle herself, reveal the apparent difficulty he had/has in producing sound judgement where Michelle’s actions are concerned.  Would Mac be willing to admit that the image of Stacey lifeless and floating in a pool is infinitely more disturbing than Michelle publicly exposing herself?  Or, would Mac at least be willing to admit that Michelle’s lying to an SBI and PCSO investigation into her husband’s death and her repeated changing of her account of Stacey’s death were more disturbing than Michelle’s topless pictures?   We, as do most, believe the pictures pale in comparison to Michelle’s actions related to Stacey’s death.

We also find it incredulous that Mac conveniently leaves out the fact that Stacey Pollard’s death certificate was changed to that of an UNKNOWN CAUSE due to INCONSISTENT HISTORIES.  Yes the original certificate listed Stacey’s death as accidental but was CHANGED in December of 2008 after the Medical Examiner became aware of Michelle’s polygraph results and her differing accounts of the events surrounding Stacey’s death.   Do you think Mac contacted the Medical Examiner to share this information?  We wish he did.

We also are left to wonder why Mac would choose this week to defend his actions/inactions surrounding Stacey’s death.  If, as he states, Stacey’s death received a fair and thorough investigation by his Office, why has he recently chosen to defend his actions related to the investigation?  If Mac’s investigation into Stacey’s death was so thorough, why did his investigation not catch Michelle lying to MAC’S investigators and changing her accounts?  Why did MAC’S investigation not show Michelle’s continuous affinity for associating with convicted felons in romantic and social settings?  Why did MAC’s investigation not expose Michelle participating in a sexual threesome the night of Stacey’s BURIAL?  Why did MAC’S investigation not result in a drastically revised DEATH CERTIFICATE or reveal so many things that were OBVIOUS to others investigating Stacey’s death?  We are left with one inescapable conclusion.  MAC’S investigation into Stacey’s death revealed nothing because the intent of the investigation was to reveal nothing.  After all, if he directed this investigation to truly be complete and thorough, wouldn’t it reveal all this and paint a negative picture of his best “gang investigator?”  You bet it would.

And why would Mac make claims that it was the responsibility of others to initiate the process of calling the SBI?  Is anything MAC’S responsibility where Michelle is concerned or where Stacey’s death is concerned?  The ONLY people who can refer a case to the SBI for investigation are a District Attorney, a City Police Chief or a COUNTY SHERIFF.  Did Mac not occupy one of these positions when Stacey was found lifeless in his pool?  Did anyone else on his staff occupy a position that would allow them to contact the SBI?  Could anyone try harder to avoid responsibility for his actions or inactions than Mac?   

Obviously, we wish Stacey’s family had been able to avoid the pain Sheriff Manning’s actions have inflicted on them.  We adamantly beleive Sheriff Manning should leave Stacey and Barbara Pollard out of the politics of Pitt County, but we STRONGLY believe Sheriff Manning should have to answer for his and Michelle’s actions surrounding Stacey’s death until Sheriff Manning can deliver an accurate and truthful account of what happened at Stacey’s home November 18, 2005.  Yes, it has always been the desire of Stacey’s family not to become “public” people.  However, the actions of Mac Manning have forced Stacey’s family to become just that at times.  Maybe someday we will have answers, a Sheriff’s Department led by someone deserving of the public’s and a greiving mother’s trust and some degree of peace.  Someday we may……but not today.

Please feel free to respond to our site and offer your comments and information.

We have received several phone calls and emails this week from friends asking if Lt. Pollard’s convictions have resulted in a sense of vindication for Stacey’s family.  The answer to that is an unequivocal NO!  The family views the results of Michelle’s trial as an indictment of not only Michelle but those who allowed Michelle’s behavior to continue unchecked for YEARS!  The results of her behavior, a tragic end to Stacey’s life, a heart-broken mother and family, the soiling of an entire Sheriff’s Office, the endangerment of the lives of Narcotics Officers and the citizens of Pitt County, the repeated attempts to discredit possibly the only attorney in Pitt County brave enough to stand up for Stacey and the betrayal of the Public’s Trust, could easily have been avoided if those in positions of authority had taken appropriate steps when she first exhibited inappropriate behavior.  How anyone could allow innocent dogs to starve, lie to an  SBI agent, smoke marijuana, use cocaine, committ adultery, sleep and associate with felons (at least she’s joined their ranks now), publicly expose herself, participate in group sex the night of her husband’s funeral, offer her body for cash, bring shame to an entire community and REPEATEDLY LIE about her husband’s death and continue to not only possess but advance in rank as a law enforcement officer  is a question we certainly can’t answer but one Sheriff Manning should have to answer.  Next time you see him feel free to ask.

PS Our website is currently experiencing difficulties with some of the attachments including photos and depositions.  We are working on it, rest assured.  Please stay tuned as we plan to share more, much more. 

However, we adamantly remain dedicated to revealing what many would rather you never know.  This may sound cryptic at times but we have information we would like to pass along that may prick your heart and lead to additional information being submitted to us.  We also thought it would be a good idea to create a timeline that would help those that may be new to the site more easily understand what happened to Stacey and why this website may be his only voice.

We are also planning on sharing the results of public records requests (we’re guessing some people will wish they had kept their mouths and their wallets closed), information surrounding the actions of those investigating Stacey’s death, the incredible hardships the family’s attorney has had to endure because of this case, the  manipulation of the truth and even how somenone in our time shares something in common with a person healed two thousand years ago (think Lazarus).  Hopefully, our community and the friends of Stacey will continue to visit this site.  Please leave us a message and share your information and opinions with us each time you visit.

PS  Almost forgot, Elections are coming this May.  Please get out and VOTE for candidates with VALUES WE TRUST! 

UPDATE: Folks, the response is most appreciated and we will be posting your thoughts and observations this weekend. Keep ‘em coming.

Yes after reading the file, it appears that Michelle has pinned her hopes of explaining the events surrounding Stacey’s death on the theory “If you throw enough crap on the wall, maybe some of it will stick.”  Sorry Michelle, maybe that works as your “plausible explanation” to those with the power to retain you as an employee or charge you with a crime, but it just doesn’t cut it with those of us knowing the difference between right and wrong………..  heck for that matter night and day. 

If, after reading the deposition alone, you’re wondering how Michelle earns cigareete money off the taxpayers of Pitt County as opposed to earning it from her cell mate, join the club.  We’re as baffled as you.

While we realize some of our comments may sound cutting and sarcastic, be assured Michelle’s actions and the inactions of others have infuriated Stacey’s family and have fueled their resolve to continue pressing forward in the search for the answers they desire.   Again, please read the deposition carefully and let us know if you have any information that will help the Pollard family.

Thank You