Robert Parchman
City Administrator, Chief of Police
robert.parchman@walnutcreeknc.com
Chief Parchman joined the Village of Walnut Creek Police Department in July of 2016. Chief Parchman came to The Village from the Wayne County Sheriffs Department where he was a Detective. Chief Parchman has been a resident of Wayne County for 40 years, has been married to his wife, Charlotte for 33 years and has one son.
Thomas E. Ipock
Police Officer
Sergeant Thomas Ipock joined our Department in August of 2022. He has over 10 years of exemplary law enforcement experience spanning from the West coast on the Alaska Pipeline securing our nation’s oil reserves (along with living off-grid mushing teams of Huskies in Fairbanks) to Eastern North Carolina serving with both the Jones County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office where he was positioned as a patrol deputy before being promoted to a Detective. Sergeant Ipock also worked as an officer for New Hanover Hospital in Wilmington assuring the security of the facility and patients. He is a decorated officer with both his Intermediate certificate and many areas of training including Fire Safety, Tracking and Rescue and a recipient of a Life Saving Commendation in 2021. Sergeant Ipock is also a Licensed Marine Captain with over 30+ years of experience on our local waters.
He is a Kinston North Carolina native, residing in the Sandy Bottom region of Lenoir County. Sergeant Ipock enjoys his days off on the water boating and fishing, especially flounder gigging, with his wife Nicole, his son Aiden and daughter Rose.
Steven Key
Police Officer
Officer Steven Key started with Walnut Creek Police Department in October 2022. Officer has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. Officer Key started his career with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office where he served in multiple positions. Officer Key has served as a Canine Handler, Patrol Deputy, Civil Deputy, SRT Team member (Special Response Team, aka SWAT), Field Training Officer, and Search and Rescue team member. Officer Key was awarded the North Carolina Law Enforcement Purple Heart in 2020. He then separated with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office and worked for UNC Lenoir Police Department as a Patrol Sergeant and Administrative Sergeant before coming to the Village of Walnut Creek.
Officer Key is a native of Kentucky and moved to Kinston, North Carolina in 2009. Officer Key and his wife Misty live in the Jacksons Height area of Lenoir County. They have two daughters together.
Last modified: February 3, 2023
