Marion Police Department

05/13/2026

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This week we celebrate all those that have served and continue to serve to keep our communities safe. I want to say a special thank you specifically to all McDowell County Law Enforcement for the jobs they do each day. We are truly blessed with a great team and serve in a great community! – Chief Allen Lawrence

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God”.

04/05/2026

03/27/2026

03/25/2026

On September 12th 2024 at 12:03 AM officers with the Marion Police Department responded to an infant in cardiac arrest at 34 Carroll Street. Upon arrival officers were met by the father W/M 31-year-old Timothy Michael Blake Thorne where they were directed upstairs.

Once upstairs officers located a female infant approximately 3 months old in a bedroom unresponsive with the mother W/F 32-year-old Evelyn Lowery. Emergency personnel on scene to include Marion Police and McDowell County EMS immediately began lifesaving measures. While those efforts continued the child was transported by EMS to the McDowell Hospital.

Medical personnel at McDowell Hospital continued lifesaving attempts and the child was eventually transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville for further treatment. However, despite everyone’s best efforts the child died later that same day while still at the hospital. Marion Police Investigators had already taken over the case and were actively speaking with the parents of the infant about details leading up to the original call.

Through the course of a lengthy investigation which spanned a year and six months a conclusion has finally been reached. During that time investigators conducted many interviews and awaited important medical records. On Wednesday March 25th, 2026 the father of the infant, Timothy Michael Blake Thorne has been charged with one count of Murder and one count of Felony Child Abuse. Thorne was already being held in the McDowell County Jail on an unrelated charge. Thorne was served today with the charges related to this case and still remains in the McDowell County jail being held currently with no bond.

The Marion Police Department would like to thank everyone involved with this case to include; The McDowell Sheriff’s Office, McDowell County EMS, and Medical Staff with both McDowell Hospital and Mission Hospital. We would also like to thank the District Attorneys Office for their help and assistance navigating this incident from the beginning.

This case remains active and investigators are still reviewing to see if any other charges are going to be filed.

03/12/2026

Today we honor the service and sacrifice of Officer Jason Crisp and K9 Maros.

It has been 12 years since Jason and Maros were killed in the line of duty assisting Burke County Deputies during a manhunt. Jason and Maros were always willing and eager to assist any agency that ever called upon them, including our own.

Join us in keeping their friends and family in our thoughts and prayers as we remember these heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their community and law enforcement colleagues.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

03/10/2026

Officers from the Marion Police Department attended the career fair at McDowell High School today. We always appreciate the opportunity to meet students and discuss career opportunities within our agency.

K9 Zara was happy to attend as well.

03/02/2026

On Thursday February 26 (11:00 P.M.), Officers from the McDowell County Drug Enforcement Unit, served a narcotics search warrant on the home of Trevon Tate (29, B/M). Tate resides at 93 Park Avenue in Marion. Special Response Teams from the Marion Police Department as well as the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office executed the nighttime operation.

The lead investigator Josh Maddux, with the Marion Police Department, charged Tate with following crimes:

-Felony Trafficking in Co***ne
-Felony Maintaining, Selling, Distributing a Controlled Substance within 1000ft of a School
-Felony Possession with Intent to Sale and Deliver Co***ne
-Felony Possession of Co***ne
-Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Found inside the home during the warrant service was the following:

-203.5 Grams of Co***ne
-2 Fi****ms (.38cal Revolver and .22cal Long Rifle)
-$2,186 of US Currency

Tate was placed in the custody of the McDowell County Jail under a $200,000 secured bond.

02/27/2026

It’s a bittersweet day at the Marion Police Department as we have bid Officer Eric Rodriguez a Happy Retirement. After almost 20 years with our department as a Police Officer, Investigator, and School Resource Officer; we thank Eric for his service and wish him the best! We would also like to thank those who joined us in our celebration and recognition of Officer Rodriguez.

Congratulations Officer Rodriguez!

02/15/2026

Happy National School Resource Officer Day ‘26!

Thank you, Marion Police Department SRO Frye, for protecting and supporting our Bulldog family. We appreciate you! 💙🐾

02/15/2026

EMMS is so honored to have Officer JC. He works non-stop to ensure the safety of each student and staff member and does it while always wearing a smile. Officer Cyr is a constant presence in the hallways. You will find him telling a joke, giving a high five, sharing words of wisdom, or explaining the reason something is unsafe. He cares with a heart and soul, loves his job and loves his school!!! Happy SRO Appreciation Day to you!! Thank you for being such a big huge part of our family🧡🖤!

02/14/2026

Happy Valentines Day from Zara and Marsoc 💙