New sheriff reflects on his opening weeks in office
"First 60" Series
* First in a 3-part series
Robbinsville – Brad Hoxit is a career law-enforcement officer, who knows the terrain as well or better than anyone in law enforcement, having patrolled Graham County’s roads as a state trooper with the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Hoxit ran for Graham County sheriff as an unaffiliated candidate, defeating Russell Moody, a Republican challenger who unseated incumbent sheriff Jerry Crisp in the Republican primary.
With over two months under his belt as sheriff, The Graham Star asked Sheriff Hoxit about his initial impressions.
* What was your first day like as sheriff?
“My first day of office was a very exciting, happy day, but also a sad day while getting sworn in. We finally were to the point where all of our hard work and the communities support had paid off, but the sad fact was (that) my parents could not attend. Both of my parents are in their 70’s with health problems and the possibility of them being exposed to illnesses such as COVID; I did not think that my happiness would outweigh their safety. I was very sad that they were not able to be part of one of my life’s happy moments.
“I would also like to thank Cody George for coming on board and choosing to be our Chief Deputy. I know it was a tough decision and I know the (high) school misses him as their school resource officer.”
* What was your first week like?
“My first week in office was very busy. I was trying to get settled in and acquainted with what the office had concerning equipment and supplies.
“During that week, the sheriff’s office was tested with a bomb threat at Graham County Schools. Thankfully, the threat turned out to be false. When I received the call from the school, I immediately called our dispatch and requested all available personnel to check on and meet at the office. Everyone responded and took orders without hesitation. I made calls to my friends/coworkers with the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and requested assistance in tracking down the leads that I had at the time.
“During that time, other agencies within the surrounding counties called and volunteered to assist in any way possible. Within hours, we found out who reported the false alarm and also had cleared the school with bomb K-9s from other agencies. That first week I thought… wow, we have been busy. The weeks that followed have been just as busy.
“During the first month, we continued getting overwhelming support from other offices and agencies, such as Ashley Welch (30th Judicial District Attorney), the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, N.C. Alcohol, Lottery and Tobacco Enforcement, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, N.C. Department of Insurance, ATF, ranking officials from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Sen. Kevin Corbin, Rep. Karl Gillespie, along with the surrounding sheriffs and their deputies.
“Since I have been in office, I have created the Graham County Drug Enforcement Unit, along with the Graham County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team. The Drug Enforcement Unit team has been working along with outside agencies on recognizing people that are bringing drugs into our county. This unit has been very successful in its mission within the county and also other missions that have occurred outside of our county. The Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team was created to handle high-risk search warrants where weapons and/or drugs are present. The team was also developed to respond to active shootings such as an active school shooter. I feel that creating this unit and training for different circumstances is very beneficial to have. I would like to be prepared for what could happen, instead of looking back and saying, ‘I wish we had done something more.’”
* What organizational, procedural, structural and personnel changes did you make?
“When I came into office, I wanted each officer to have the equipment they need to safely and effectively carry out their duties. I’ve wanted the officers to have hand-held radios that are technologically updated, so contact can easily be made with dispatch, tasers that were more up-to-date, personal up-to-date vests, active shooter vests for the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team, and rifles for each officer so they could respond to hazardous and life-threatening situations.
“I took these concerns to our county commissioners and explained why we need those pieces of equipment. The Graham County Board of Commissioners have been very supportive and willing to help me and the sheriff’s office to obtain these items. I feel that the commissioners want my office to succeed, so that our county can be a safer place. I would like to personally thank our commissioners, acting county manager (Kim Crisp) and the county’s finance officer (Becky Garland) for their support and help.
“I am very happy with the staff, and their willingness to go above and beyond their scope of work, to make sure that our office and the jail are successful.
“I would like to give you a few examples of what has been accomplished since I took office. We currently have an investigator that is a Task Force Officer with Homeland Security and a member of N.C. Internet Crimes Against Children. We are working very hard to make sure that crimes against children within our county and also within the state of North Carolina are not taking place. We are also in the process of getting a couple of detectives Task Force officer’s with the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration. With these credentials, we can gain further assistance from those agencies and assist when we are asked to do so.
“In closing, we are working on a lot of different areas and building teams. We are making positive changes with training and equipment for our community. I would like to ask everyone for their prayers and support, to prove that we are here to help our communities and county to be successful.
“There will be more success stories in the future.”