Pardue began his corrections career in 1976 as probation and parole officer in Wake County. In 1983, he became the county’s first intensive probation officer. Six years later, Pardue was named a chief probation and parole officer supervising other probation officers and heading up the county’s electronic house arrest program. He is one of the department’s certified general instructors which allows him to provide basic and in-service training to probation staff.

"I want us to move forward with the programs the Division of Adult Probation and Parole started like community policing, victim advocacy and officer safety," Pardue said. "The officer safety program is one of the best things we’ve ever done. Its important that we make the sure our officers know we’re concerned about them."