Stokes sheriff will retire next year

'You need time off,' Joyce says after 40-year career

Winston-Salem Journal: Mike Joyce, the sheriff of Stokes County since 1990, will not seek re-election next year, he said yesterday.

"At the end of the term, I'll have 40 years in law enforcement," he said. "The time comes for all things to end."

Joyce said he made his announcement now to give people who might run a chance to make their decision.

Joyce said he hasn't decided what he will do when his job ends.

"I have no plans at this point, but I'll stay active with something," he said.