Hendersonville Police Department
Public Monthly Report

December 2025

Chief’s Monthly Summary 

This month, I had the fortune to spend a few days working with the Columbian National Police in Bogota, Columbia. My role with the International Association of Chiefs of Police afforded me this opportunity and what an amazing experience it was. I got to see firsthand the crime challenges the police there have every day. For example, an average of 800 Columbian Police Officers are killed in the line of duty every year: sometimes many at once. In fact, one young female police officer was shot and killed right in front of her family while I was in the country.  

If we lost the same number of Officers per capita, nearly 5,000 American Police Officers would die in the line of duty every year. That is a staggering number to comprehend. To be clear, we are extremely fortunate, but policing in America is still a dangerous job. See, drugs and the industry that produces, transports, and distributes those drugs are at the core of nearly all crime worldwide. Cartels are now multifaceted crime organizations. They don’t just sell drugs anymore. Today, they traffick humans, scam people on the internet, and use extreme violence for anyone who stands in their way. They create difficulties for everyone. 

Venezuelan cartels are the conduit for all drugs coming out of South America. Drugs are pushed across the many thousands-mile border between Columbia and Venezuela before being loaded on boats and shipped to Mexico and China and ultimately to places like America. I am not relaying something I heard on TV; this information is straight from the Columbian National Police Intelligence Officers themselves. And, I believe what they told me. 

We have a duty to protect Americans from crime and criminals. I bet everyone has a family member, or knows someone who does, who has been affected by drugs in some capacity. My youngest sister died almost fifteen years ago from a drug overdose leaving behind a 3-year-old girl. She had been a long-time addict, and drugs finally cost her everything. You see, not even the Chief of Police is immune from the effects of illegal drugs. Neither are you. Drug usage today is not about addiction; it is about dying. So many new users are dying from overdose, typically from fentanyl.  

Let’s stay focused on protecting this community and making it the safest place anywhere. Let us work together to improve the lives of the people who call Hendersonville home. I know you will help us maintain our standard of living and community safety. Combatting the illegal drugs, all drugs, and putting dealers in prison is a really good place to start. Please do not forget though how interconnected we are with global crime and criminal organizations way out here in the mountains. 

One Team, One Goal. #MountainExcellence

Call Statistics

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

Calls For Service

• Calls Answered: 4,877; +.90% 

• Calls Dispatched: 2,434; -1.20% 

Traffic Safety

• Traffic Stops: 341; +19.2% 

• Citations Issued: 127; -9.9% 

• DWI Arrests: 10; +233.3% 

• Motor Vehicle Crashes: 124; +30.5% 

• Injury Crashes: 8; -33.3% 

Top Five Crash Locations:

1. Chimney Rock Rd at Howard Gap

2. Chimney Rock Rd at Highland Square Dr

3. 6th Ave East at King St

4. 6th Ave West at Church St

5. Asheville Hwy at North Main St

Crimes, Reports, and Arrests

• Custodial Arrests: 94, +34% 

• Incident Reports: 109, +10% 

• Drug Offenses: 18, -14% 

• Larcenies: 35, +25% 

• Assaults: 16, No Change 

Employee Actions

• Sammy Cruz, Yasmin Melo-Baron, and Daniel Gamez successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and were sworn as Police Officers. Congratulations to them for completing this rigorous training and starting their law enforcement careers with us.  

(From left to right) Officer Gamez, Mayor Volk, Officer Cruz, Officer Melo-Baron, and Chief Myhand

• 911 Supervisor Amber Kleppe was promoted to the newly created Communications and Technology Bureau Manager position. This position will manage the communications function for the agency and help us usher in an era for community supported technology use. This is a non-sworn executive level position within the department; the first of its kind. 

• A non-sworn employee was terminated for performance. 

Safety Tip – Pedestrian Safety

According to NHTSA, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Unfortunately, Hendersonville tops the list of pedestrian fatalities for North Carolina cities 10,000 to 25,000 in population. Per capita, pedestrians are as likely to be killed here than in much larger cities throughout the state. Given those staggering numbers, we thought it good to share a few safety tips and encourage you to be safe. 

• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. 

• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible. 

• Do not cross mid-block. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. 

• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross. 

• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots. 

• Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation. 

• When crossing the street, stay alert: check for signs, signals, and the actions of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians around you. 

• Do not rely on others to keep you safe; make eye contact with drivers when possible and wait for a clear, complete stop before crossing. 

• Wear reflective or brightly colored clothing during hours of limited visibility. 

More safety tips for drivers and children can be found here: Pedestrian Safety: Prevent Pedestrian Crashes | NHTSA

Complaints and Findings

• None for December 2025.

Vehicle Pursuits and Findings

• None

Use of Reasonable Force (UORF) Incidents and Findings

• Officers detained a group of suspects while investigating a disturbance and trespassing. One person refused lawful commands and officers used soft hand techniques to control the person and gain compliance. The suspect had a small abrasion on the hand not requiring medical treatment; no officers were injured. This use of force was reviewed and found to be reasonable and necessary.  

• Officers located a suspect walking in the middle of a public roadway. While trying to get the person to safety, he ran from officers and refused to exit the roadway. The suspect became aggressive and threatened officers. An officer then successfully deployed their Taser against the suspect who was then taken into custody with no further force applied. No injuries were sustained in this incident. This matter was reviewed and found to be reasonable and necessary.  

• While investigating a report of a disturbance and trespassing at a business, Officers located the suspect behind closed business at night. The suspect refused to follow officer's lawful commands, became aggressive, and brandished a weapon towards officers. Two officers deployed their Tasers against the suspect causing him to drop the weapon before being taken into custody. There were no injuries in this incident. This matter is currently under review.  

Operations/Notable Events 

• A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle on 7th Ave., after he fell off his bicycle onto the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was charged with a traffic violation but found not at fault for the cyclist’s death. 

• A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle as she crossed Spartanburg Hwy at night. The pedestrian died at the hospital a few days later. The driver was not at fault in the pedestrian’s death and no charges are pending.  

Budget Summary

• We are approximately 84% through the fiscal year.
• We have spent or reserved $5,676,626.00 or 77% of our budget.
• View the City of Hendersonville Budget Dashboard

Community Outreach/Special Events 

• The Annual Christmas Parade was a very successful and well-attended night event.

• HPD participated in the annual Shop with a Hero Event at Walmart. Kids from across Henderson County were partnered with a local “Hero” to shop for Christmas gifts for themselves and their families.  

• Chief Myhand participated in the annual Christmas Window Display Contest where businesses decorate their store front windows according to the yearly theme. Safelight was this year’s winner. 

• Hendersonville High School student Jenna Worley was the artist for this year’s HPD Christmas card. She was given a gift card and other goodies for her efforts. We hope everyone enjoys her design. 

Budget Summary

• We are approximately 52% through the fiscal year. 

• We have spent or reserved $4,094,846 or 50% of our budget. 

• Link to the budget dashboard: City of Hendersonville Budget 

Grants Management 

• There are no active grants in progress.

Recruiting/Retention

• 1 of 14 non-sworn employee vacancies exist. 

• 1 of 47 Police Officer vacancies exist. 

  • (5) applications received 

  • (0) in background 

  • (0) conditional offer made 

  • (2) rejected 

  • (0) withdrawn 

Learn more about employment with the Hendersonville Police Department.