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Message from the Sheriff
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the (at least) 5 federal agencies, 24 state and local agencies and 11 county that agencies participated in January’s search and rescue mission involving two lost hikers in the Pisgah National Forest.
As we headed into a frigid weekend with a snowstorm approaching, many went above and beyond the call of duty to pull together vital resources in a dire time. People across the country witnessed this rescue mission as national and local media outlets showed the dramatic video footage of the men being airlifted from the snowy wilderness. As I’ve said before when talking about this incident, this positive outcome was the result of every individual’s rigorous commitment to the team effort. Below, you will find each agency/group that was involved. We are thankful for each one!
COUNTY: Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, Haywood County Administration, Haywood County Emergency Management, Haywood County Incident Management Team, Haywood County Rescue Squad Search & Rescue Team, Haywood County Rescue Squad, Haywood County Emergency Medical Services, Haywood County Fire Marshal’s Office, Haywood County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Cruso Fire and Rescue, Waynesville Fire Department, East Fork Baptist Church (food for responders Saturday evening), Vicki Hyatt (homemade bread for responders)
REGIONAL/STATE:
Henderson County Rescue Squad, West Buncombe Fire Department, Spring Creek Fire Department, Buncombe County Rescue Squad, Buncombe County EMS, Mills River Fire Department, Linville Central Rescue Squad, NC Mountain Search and Rescue Team (MSAR) 1, NC Mountain Search and Rescue Team (MSAR) 2, NC Mountain Search and Rescue Team (MSAR) 3, NC Mountain Search and Rescue Team (MSAR) 4, NC Mountain Search and Rescue Team (MSAR) 5, NC State Highway Patrol, NC Wildlife Resource Commission, NC Emergency Operations Center, NC Emergency Management, NC Department of Transportation, NC National Guard, NC State Bureau of Investigation, NC HART (Helo Aquatic Rescue Team), NC Department of Transportation, Charlotte Fire Department, Mission Hospital, Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA1)
FEDERAL
United States Forest Service National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway National Weather Service Air Force Rescue Coordination Center See the helicopter rescue video here: http://wlos.com/news/local/911-calls-and-video-released-of-rescued-hikers
Sheriff Greg Christopher
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Photos Courtesy of The Mountaineer Publishing Co.
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HEARTS BEHIND THE BADGE
In an effort to provide as much support as possible to those who have a loved one working with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, Jency Smathers, the wife of Detective Kevin Smathers, has started the Auxiliary at the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, titled “Hearts Behind the Badge.”
“I do not want this group to be a ‘Wives Auxiliary,’ as I feel this would be self-limiting,” said Smathers. “I would like for this group to be open to spouses, significant others, staff, and family. I would like for this Auxiliary to be multifaceted. Our first priority is to provide support for ALL who wear the HCSO badge, no matter the need. Second, to provide support for spouses and significant others when their officer is dealing with the unthinkable and cannot communicate with their loved one.”
The auxiliary will also help with any fundraising and/or community events that are scheduled through the office, as well as creating new fundraising ventures.
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DONATION FOR FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE
The Ann R. Wilke Family Foundation along with nonprofit Eckerd Kids made a donation of $3,240 to the Maggie Valley Police Department in late January. The check was presented to Maggie Valley Police Department Captain Russell Gilliland at the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.
The money is slated to be used to aid in the fight against illicit substance abuse in Haywood County as it will go toward the purchase of enhanced technology for the local Unified Narcotics Investigative Team.
The Unified Narcotics Investigative Team (U.N.I.T.) is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force comprising nine members from five local and state law enforcement agencies.
“This very generous donation gives us the means needed to invest in this special technology that we otherwise might not be able to afford,” said Maggie Valley Police Chief, Scott Sutton.
Lieutenant Colonel Bill Wilke, son of Ann Wilke, is in the United States Army Reserve and has worked closely with Eckerd Kids to raise the money. He was deployed to Iraq where he earned a bronze star.
Lieutenant Colonel Wilke said, “I am thrilled to be able to give back to our local community.”
Dr. Ann R. Wilke graduated medical school in the 1960’s and was one of only three women in her graduating class. She spent a lifetime providing care to families in need. A memorial scholarship was established in her name in 2011 and provides assistance to young adults in Haywood County who have survived drug dependency issues.
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ABOUT ECKERD KIDS
Eckerd Kids is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, that has given much-needed second chances to nearly 200,000 children and families since its founding by Jack and Ruth Eckerd in 1968. Eckerd Kids serves more than 25,000 children and their families each year through life-changing child welfare, juvenile justice and workforce development programs in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Eckerd Kids’ mission is to provide and share solutions that promote the well-being of children and families in need of a second chance. To learn more visit www.eckerd.org.
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CONSEQUENCES OF DRUGS
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office continues to partner with Drugs in Our Midst (DIOM) in the effort to reach students at a very formative time in their life, by giving them a hard look at the risks and consequences associated with substance abuse. We give a presentation on this material to every middle and high school health class, and our most recent presentation was at Bethel Middle School, where we gave a 90 minute presentation to roughly 90 middle school students. As part of the presentation, we give students an inside look at our detention center, explaining that it is a possible consequence of making risky choices.
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Deputy Hayden Green and Deputy Lance Easton
On January 21, 2017 Deputy Hayden Green was tasked with giving a young woman a ride to The Lodge motel from Haywood Regional Medical Center. Upon arrival to the hospital, Deputy Green learned the woman’s monetary arrangements for the motel had fallen through. Green also learned that the woman, who was traveling with two small children, only had $30 (with which she intended to buy diapers). Without any direction or advice, Deputy Green transported the three to The Lodge motel and purchased a room for them.
“By Deputy Green’s selfless act, I believe that he has transcended the precedent set by most law enforcement officers and has gone above and beyond to assist this victim in her time of need,” said Sergeant Mitchell Rathbone.
Just a day later, on January 22, 2017, when a call was dispatched on the medical channel for an echo cardiac arrest, Deputy Lance Easton took it upon himself to respond without being prompted by dispatch—he was close by and immediately headed to the location.
Upon arrival, Easton located the victim on the floor. A person at the home attempting to assist the victim (while getting CPR directions from dispatch,) informed Deputy Easton that there was no pulse. So, Deputy Easton jumped into action and began performing CPR. Upon EMS arrival, Deputy Easton continued three more cycles of CPR before EMS took over lifesaving efforts. EMS worked with the victim and by the time they were ready to transport, the victim had a pulse.
“His actions are a true testament of his character and his willingness to go the extra distance to serve the public,” said Sergeant Mitchell Rathbone.
“Both of these acts were above and beyond normal duties and they are both assets to the department,” said Lieutenant Chris Moody. It really gives me a lot of pride knowing we have a staff that has caring hearts.”
Both deputies were presented challenge coins as they were recognized for their outstanding work.
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