Swain County Sheriff's Office

06/05/2026

Congratulations to the Swain County High School Class of 2026!

Earlier this evening, these outstanding young men and women walked across the stage and celebrated a milestone that marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

On behalf of Sheriff Brian Kirkland and the men and women of the Swain County Sheriff’s Office, we want to congratulate each graduate on this tremendous accomplishment. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this moment, and we could not be more proud of you.

As you begin the next phase of your journey whether it be college, the military, a career, or another path remember to stay true to your values, work hard, and never stop striving to reach your goals.

We wish each of you success, happiness, and safety in all that lies ahead. The future is bright, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact you will make in our community and beyond.

Congratulations, graduates.

05/18/2026

On May 8, 2026, deputies with the Swain County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brandon Ridge Humphrey, 35, of Bryson City, and Destiny Marie Taylor, 28, also of Bryson City.

Humphrey was charged with Driving While License Revoked and received a $500 secured bond.

Taylor was charged with:
• Trafficking by Possession – Schedule II (Fentanyl)
• Trafficking by Transportation – Schedule II (Fentanyl)
• Possession With Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II (Fentanyl)
• Possession of Schedule II (Fentanyl)

Taylor received a $100,000 secured bond.

Sheriff Brian Kirkland would like to extend his appreciation to the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, NC Probation and Parole, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and cooperation throughout this investigation. Working together makes our communities safer.

05/15/2026

As National Police Week comes to a close tomorrow, we pause to reflect on one of the most meaningful days of the week Peace Officers Memorial Day. Across our nation, we honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities and remember the families, friends, and fellow officers who carry their legacy forward.

Tomorrow’s National Peace Officers Memorial Service will be held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., as part of National Police Week observances.

If you would like to watch the memorial service live and join in remembering our fallen heroes, you can do so here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/00pSr5pUleQ?feature=shared

Please keep all law enforcement officers, past and present, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this solemn time.

The 45th Annual Peace Officers Memorial ServiceMay 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM (Noon)The National Fraternal Order of Police honors the memory of our fallen Brothers...

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms in Swain County and beyond! Today, we honor the strength, love, sacrifice, and dedication that mothers show each and every day.

On behalf of the men and women of the Swain County Sheriff’s Office, I want to thank all mothers for the important role you play in your families and our communities. Your guidance, compassion, and support make a lasting difference in the lives of so many.

We especially want to recognize the mothers who serve in law enforcement, emergency services, healthcare, education, and every walk of life while balancing the responsibilities of motherhood.

We hope your day is filled with love, appreciation, and time with those who matter most.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sheriff Brian Kirkland
Swain County Sheriff’s Office

05/10/2026

This week, we proudly recognize and celebrate National Detention Officer Week.

I want to personally thank each and every one of our dedicated Detention Officers for the hard work, professionalism, and sacrifice they demonstrate every single day. Their commitment to maintaining safety, security, and order inside our detention facility often goes unseen, but it is absolutely essential to the success of our agency and the safety of our community.

Detention Officers face challenging situations with strength, integrity, and compassion, and I am incredibly grateful for their service and dedication. They are a vital part of our law enforcement family, and we proudly stand behind them today and every day.

Please join me in showing appreciation and support for these outstanding men and women during Detention Officer Week.

Thank you for all you do.

Sheriff Brian Kirkland

05/08/2026

I had the distinct honor today of meeting and leading the es**rt through Swain County for the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.

It was an impressive sight as we es**rted approximately 150 motorcycles and their additional support vehicles through our beautiful landscape.

It was a true privilege to meet Kyle and Morgan Petty, "The King" Richard Petty, and Kenny Wallace. I especially want to thank Morgan for the outstanding job she did coordinating this massive undertaking and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

A mission like this is a team effort, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, the Cherokee Indian Police Department, and the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office for their vital assistance in making this es**rt a success.

This ride does incredible work for Victory Junction, a camp designed specifically for children with serious medical and physical needs. It’s a wonderful cause that allows these kids to just be kids and experience the joys of summer camp in a safe, supportive environment.

To learn more about their mission or to support the cause, visit victoryjunction.org.

Safe travels to all the riders as they continue their journey!
Sheriff Brian Kirkland

04/25/2026

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT: Emerging Drug Threats & Community Solutions
Swain County family,

As your Sheriff, my top priority is the safety and well-being of every person in our community. We are facing complex challenges regarding drug use, and the only way to tackle them is together.

I want to personally invite you to join us for a vital community presentation this coming Tuesday, April 28. We’ve brought in experts to provide real insights and actionable solutions for our county.

Event Details:

When: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Where: United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. – 8:55 a.m. (Provided by our friends at Everett Street Diner!)

Program: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Featured Speakers:

DEA Agent Wanda Wiggins

Jane Casarez from Community Impact N.C.

Our goal is to bring together local leaders, schools, families, and churches to create a consistent, community-wide message. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or a concerned neighbor, your voice matters in this conversation.

RSVP REMINDER:
To ensure we have enough food and seating, please RSVP as soon as possible.
Call the Sheriff’s Office at 828-488-0159 ext. 0

Let’s work together to keep Swain County safe and informed. I hope to see you there!

Sheriff Brian Kirkland

04/20/2026

The Swain County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Brian Kirkland are mourning alongside our brothers and sisters of the North Carolina Highway Patrol following the loss of Part-Time Deputy James “Jim” Hipp, retired NC Highway Patrol Sergeant.

Jim retired from the Highway Patrol as a Sergeant in March 2018 and joined the Swain County Sheriff’s Office in November 2018, where he continued serving our community part-time until the present.

Jim will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. He was a dedicated law enforcement officer, a valued member of our office, and someone who always brought a great sense of humor to those around him.

Please keep Jim’s family, friends, and all of our law enforcement family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

https://www.crispfuneralhome.org/obituaries/Trooper-Jim-Harold-Hipp?obId=48180045

04/14/2026

This week, we proudly recognize and thank the dedicated men and women of Swain County 911 during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Our telecommunicators are the calm voice in moments of crisis, the first first responders, and a vital link between our community and emergency services. Their professionalism, compassion, and commitment to serving others often go unseen, but their impact is felt every single day.

On behalf of the Swain County Sheriff’s Office, I want to express my sincere appreciation to each of you for your hard work, sacrifice, and service to our county. Thank you for answering the call and for all you do to help keep Swain County safe.

Sheriff Brian Kirkland

03/23/2026

Sheriff Brian Kirkland would like to remind everyone about the drug awareness class tomorrow night. We encourage all community members to attend and learn more about this important topic. Please see the attached flyer for details, and help us spread the word.