Public servants of Stokes: Sheriff Mike Joyce makes history

Sheriff Mike Joyce is now the longest sitting sheriff in Stokes County history, recently breaking the record of 18 years held by Sheriff John Taylor.

(The Stokes News) - It’s no secret that Sheriff Mike Joyce loves baseball. In fact, he can probably tell you who holds the record for almost any category of statistics in the greatest game ever played. Nolan Ryan may hold the record for most career strikeouts, Hank Aaron for most career runs batted in, and Rickey Henderson for most career stolen bases, but now Sheriff Joyce can claim a record of his own.

Now in his fifth term of office as the highest ranking law enforcement official in Stokes County, Joyce is the longest sitting sheriff in this county’s history. He was sworn into office on the first Monday in December, 1990. As of December 1, 2008, when he entered his 19th year as sheriff, Joyce smashed the record previously held by Sheriff John Taylor who served Stokes County in that position for 18 years.