Hendersonville Police Department
Public Monthly Report

November 2025

Chief’s Monthly Summary 

Thanksgiving! It is one of my favorite holidays. The abundant feast. The time with family. What is not to love? But Thanksgiving is not just about the turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie. It is about celebrating our blessings. It is a time for reflection, appreciation, and admiration for our bounties. I have so many things to be thankful for in my life. 

First, I am thankful to live in such a special place. Hendersonville may not have everything the big cities do, but the people here are tremendous. They are welcoming, accepting, and supportive. I get to work with people from very different backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. I learn something from each one of them and I appreciate everything they do for this community. 

Second, I am thankful for having the privilege to lead this department. The people who fill our ranks are outstanding. They set the standard for professionalism in policing. They treat people with respect, and they demonstrate the highest levels of integrity in the work they do. I am so very fortunate to work alongside these men and women. They are truly the best of the best. 

Third, I am thankful for city leadership. Our city manager is experienced and highly respected. We are fortunate to have him. Our city council is the finest I have worked with. They listen to staff, act prudently, and make decisions in the best interest of the city; not themselves. Mayor Volk is tops among Mayors in any city of any size. She is mostly quiet, but when she speaks, people listen. She commands a room without bravado. She projects her voice with confidence and all from a small package. We will miss her leadership in the future. “Thank you for your many years of service, Mayor Volk.” 

Fourth, I am thankful for my wife. She is ever supportive of me and my career. She offers me council and guidance when I need it. She makes it so that I can commit the time needed to the department, the city, and the larger law enforcement profession. Without her, there is no way I would be in your Chief of Police, nor could I commit the time and energy to help make policing better here and elsewhere. Over our marriage, I have dragged her through many trials and tribulations, and she has stood firm through it all. I am truly a lucky man. 

I hope you too can easily lay out a few things you are thankful for. In a world that can be increasingly divisive and dangerous, it is important that we focus on the things that are important to us. Life, love, and happiness are cornerstones of our wellbeing. So, my ask of you is that you write down three or four things you are thankful for. Make it a point to invest in that list and live in the positive. Together, we will strengthen this community and make it an even better place to live. 

One Team, One Goal. #MountainExcellence 

Call Statistics

% change describes the data compared to the previous month's numbers

Calls For Service

• Calls Answered: 4,418; -1.14% 

• Calls Dispatched: 2,934; -1.05% 

Traffic Safety

• Traffic Stops: 286; -5.6% 

• Citations Issued: 141; -14% 

• DWI Arrests: 3; -70% 

• Motor Vehicle Crashes: 95; -25.8% 

• Injury Crashes: 12; no change

Top Five Crash Locations:

1. Chimney Rock Rd at Howard Gap Rd 

2. Stoney Mountain Rd at Asheville Hwy 

3. Chimney Rock Rd at Highland Square Dr 

4. Church St at Kanuga Rd 

5. Chimney Rock Rd at Francis Rd 

Crimes, Reports, and Arrests

• Custodial Arrests: 70; -13% 

• Incident Reports: 99; -23% 

• Drug Offenses: 21; -19% 

• Larcenies: 28; -26% 

• Assaults: 16; -6% 

Employee Actions

• A conditional offer of employment was made to Yasmin Melo-Baron. Yasmin was a student in the current Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) class at AB Tech. She is expected to graduate on December 18, 2025, and will become a full time Police Officer for the department. 

• A conditional offer of employment was made to Morgan Roldan. Morgan comes to us from South Carolina and will start BLET on January 6, 2026, at AB Tech. 

• A conditional offer of employment was made to Alek Robinson. Alek is a Henderson County native and will start BLET on January 6, 2026, at AB Tech. 

• A conditional offer of employment was made to Nathan Varela. Nathan comes to us from the United States Marine Corps and will start BLET on January 6, 2026, at AB Tech.  

Safety Tip - Traveling for the Holidays

If you are traveling this holiday season, be sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest, and be prepared for any emergency. Traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. Alcohol impairment is involved in about a third of these fatalities. 

Stay safe on the roads over the holidays: 

• Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you. 

• Stay well rested before departing and avoid drowsy driving. 

• Leave early and plan for heavy traffic. 

• All passengers should be properly buckled, no matter the distance traveled.  

• Avoid distractions and stay hands free while driving. 

• Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party. 

Animal Services

Winter Tips: 

• Antifreeze: Keep it out of reach and clean up any spills immediately. 

• Pet-Safe De-Icers: Make sure you’re using products labeled safe for pets.  

• Before Starting Your Car: Tap the hood and honk the horn – cats and smaller animals may seek warmth in wheel wells or engine bays. 

• Space Heaters: Use heaters with a sturdy base, cool-touch exterior, and automatic shut-off. Always supervise pets near heaters.  

Cold Weather Prep: 

• Thin-coated pets may need a jacket or sweater. 

• Thick-coated pets may have no desire to come inside during cooler times.  

• Provide a warm sleeping spot away from drafts for thin coated pets and provide the ability to go inside to thick coated pets.  

• ***Check that your pet’s water supply doesn’t freeze. *** Ice does not constitute an adequate water provision.  

Extra Care for Senior Pets 

• Older pets are more vulnerable to the cold, which can worsen joint pain and affect their immune systems. Limit their time outdoors.  

• It is okay if the walks are shorter. Our pets look to us to provide their needs, make sure to take care of yourself! 

Complaints and Findings

• None

Vehicle Pursuits and Findings

• None

Use of Reasonable Force (UORF) Incidents and Findings

• While taking a person into custody for an involuntary committal, the subject physically resisted officers. Offices were forced to use soft hand techniques to safely secure the subject. There were no injuries in this incident. This matter is currently under review.  

• Officers responded to a disturbance behind a business. Upon arrival, officers located an intoxicated subject who began screaming at and threatening officers. When officers attempted to take the suspect into custody, the suspect physically resisted the officers. Officers used joint manipulation and soft hand techniques to take the suspect into custody. The suspect sustained a small abrasion to the face from contact with the ground. An officer sustained a minor hand injury. This matter is currently under review.  

• An officer was investigating a suspicious person in a parked motor vehicle. The officer made contact with the suspect and developed reasonable suspicion that the suspect was intoxicated. The officers ordered the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect refused to comply with the officer's lawful command. The officer then forcibly removed the suspect from the driver's seat onto the ground where the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect sustained a minor abrasion to the face that did not require medical treatment. This matter is currently under review.   

Operations/Notable Events 

• Detectives responded to McDonald’s on Four Seasons Blvd after a shooting was reported. No one was injured during the shooting. Julian Reshawn Suber of Asheville was identified as the shooter and was arrested less than an hour after the shooting occurred. The investigation determined that the shooting was an isolated incident. 

• Skeletal human remains were found in the woods near Sams Club in Hendersonville. Detectives responded and investigated the scene. They were assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations and the Western Carolina University Forensic Anthropology department in evidence collection. The identity of the deceased was made, and notifications to family were completed. After a thorough investigation with the medical examiner’s office, no suspicious circumstances were discovered. 

• HPD Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Detectives have executed seven search warrants on active ICAC reports. Further investigation is being conducted into these cases.  

Community Outreach/Special Events 

• HPD Motor Unit assisted with the annual Henderson County Toy Run, which was very successful again this year with approximately 500 motorcycles in attendance.  

• 13th Annual Turkey Trot hosted by Hope Coalition this year was another successful event.  

• Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Event in front of the historic courthouse with horse carriage rides. As a reminder, horse carriage rides will continue thru December 21st.

Budget Summary

• We are approximately 42% through the fiscal year.
• We have spent or reserved $4,884,110.06 or 49% of our budget. 
• View the City of Hendersonville Budget Dashboard

Grants Management 

• There are no active grants in progress.

Recruiting/Retention

• 0 of 14 non-sworn employee vacancies exist.
• 4 of 47 Police Officer vacancies exist.
  • (6) applications received
  • (3) in background
  • (2) conditional offers made
  • (1) rejected
  • (1) withdrawn

Learn more about employment with the Hendersonville Police Department.