Donald Hill

I, Donald J. Hill, am a lifelong resident of Polk County. I am a 1987 graduate of Tryon High School and a 1990 graduate of Haywood Community College with degrees in fish and wildlife management and criminal justice.

I began my career with the Polk County Sheriffs Office in 1991 under the late Sheriff Boyce Carswell, serving first as a jailer, and have since risen through the ranks, serving in various roles such as deputy specialist and patrol sergeant. Under Sheriff David Satterfield I served as patrol captain and later operations captain. Under Sheriff Chris Abril I served as major and jail administrator. In November 2008 I was the recommendation of the Democratic Party to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff Chris Abril and was named sheriff by unanimous decision of the Polk County Board of Commissioners.

During my career I have received numerous awards and certifications including: 1995 Polk County Employee of the Quarter (first ever recipient), numerous Region C (Polk, Cleveland, Rutherford, and McDowell counties) awards including citations in 1995 and 2000, Uniformed Officer of the Year 1999, K-9 Officer of the Year 2001, 2005. In 2007 I received the Distinguished Service Award from Foothills Crimestoppers. I also received my Advanced Law Enforcement Certification in 2004.

The following is a list of accomplishments during my tenure:&bsp; reestablishment of the R.U. OK program, which is a service to provide daily checks on citizens with special needs, creation of the Volunteers in Partnership (V.I.P.) program, reestablishment of law enforcement presence in our schools, reestablished and strengthened working relationships with mutual aid law enforcement and public safety agencies, oversaw the largest drug related seizure in Polk County history, confiscating over $100,000 of drug trafficking money.

Nathan Shields

I was born and raised in Tryon, N.C. My wife of 28 years, Geraldine, and I have raised our six children here. We worship at Good Shepherd Church and my family is very much a part of the community. Our son Stacey, a newly minted assistant teacher, teaches in Polk County and our daughter Sarah serves our country in the U.S. Navy.

7 grandchildren, one on the way

Bachelor of arts in sociology/ criminal justice, cum laude graduate of Shaw University

Associate of arts in physical education, graduate of Arizona Western College

UNC Asheville criminal justice major

UNC Chapel Hill Effective Management

Isothermal Comm. College Spindale criminal justice major

NCJA, Salemburg and Edneyville, N.C.

SCJA, Columbia, SC BLET

Tryon PD chief

Asheville PD

Polk County S.O. twice – captain – communications director

Landrum PD assistant chief

Rutherfordton PD patrol

Columbus PD SGT retired 24 July 2009

Security Officer II Spartanburg Regional Health Care Currently

Military:

United States Army Sgt. Veteran – 4 years active – infantry/ combat support

North Carolina Army National Guard, highest rank first sergeant military police

Retired 30 June 2010 E-8 Master Sergeant NCNG Army

Deployments 211th MP Company to&bsp; Afghanistan 1 Year and Iraq 8 Months

Boards served on:

Steps to Hope

Polk County Transportation

Red Cross Polk County

Vestry for Good Shepherd Church

Civic awards:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10349-Law Enforcement Officer of the year

Region C Citation

Advance Law Enforcement Sheriffs Standards Advance Professional Award

NCCJ Education & Training Standards Commission-Advance Professional Award

Polk County Jaycees-Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer&bsp; Twice

Town of Tryon- Outstanding Performance New Employee

Organizations:

NCNG Association Life

NRA

Military Police Corp

American Legion

Veterans of Foreign Wars