New chief Hamby sworn into office

COLUMBUS — The Town of Columbus honored outgoing police chief Chris Beddingfield last week with a plaque and gifts for his 11 years of service with the town.

Beddingfield resigned his position in order to take over as police chief of the town of Biltmore Forest.

The town honored Beddingfield during its meeting last Thursday, and held a reception last Friday.

Newly appointed chief Scott Hamby was also sworn into office last week.

Beddingfield spent almost 20 years in law enforcement in Polk County. He began with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office as a school resource officer and working in criminal investigations.

Beddingfield also worked with the Tryon Police Department, and joined the Columbus Police Department in 2007. He   was appointed Columbus police chief in 2011.

Beddingfield will remain with the Columbus Police Department as a part-time reserve officer to handle the motorcycle safety classes, the police motorcycles and officer training as needed.