Sheriff Quentin Miller’s Remarks at the October 8th Briefing

Press release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office:

Below is a copy of Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller’s remarks at the October 8^th Briefing:

As I walked through our facilities earlier today, I was struck by something that deeply moved me. Amid our restoration, our deputies recovered the flag that had flown over our office. It was beaten and battered by the storm yet still standing. To me, it represents something far greater than just a symbol. It reminds us of who we are—resilient, strong, and committed to protecting and serving Buncombe County, no matter the circumstance.

 

In the days since the storm, I have seen firsthand the incredible efforts of our first responders. Our deputies, alongside law enforcement volunteers, have been working tirelessly, 24 hours a day, to reach every corner of our county.

 

Just yesterday, twenty-three teams, each consisting of a BCSO deputy and two volunteers, were deployed to clear debris, check on our neighbors, and bring assistance wherever needed. No community is too remote; no call for help will go unheard.

 

But we are not alone in this. We’ve received overwhelming support from agencies across the nation. The National Guard, FEMA, local churches, nonprofits, and countless volunteers have stepped up to care for our community. Their round-the-clock efforts have been a beacon of hope in this dark time, showing that Buncombe County is supported far and wide.

 

Like many of you, this is my home, I was born and raised in Buncombe County, and I can tell you this: mountain people are known for their resilience. We’ve weathered tough times before and come through stronger because we know how to support one another. As I always say, Buncombe County is a community of WE. Now is the time to put that belief into action.

 

If you don’t know your neighbors, now is the time to reach out. Check on each other. Share resources. Verify information. Together, we will not just recover; we will rebuild something even stronger than before. My office and all our first responders will continue to protect and serve as we work to restore this community we love.

 

Every act of kindness helps us move forward. And as always, if you see something, say something. Your vigilance can make all the difference.

We will rise from this together. Buncombe County will endure, as it always has, and we will come through stronger on the other side.

 

Over the last 11 days, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has responded to hundreds of calls for service, ranging from barricaded subjects and wellness checks to domestic violence incidents and other day-to-day operations. I must thank our North Carolina Sheriff’s Association partners and the over 100 sworn law enforcement officers from across the state and country for joining us in our recovery efforts and assisting with calls as we work toward restoring normalcy.

 

We have reopened our courts, gas lines are no longer as long as they once were, people are hard at work restoring power, and stores are reopening.

 

We are all working together to return to a sense of routine. The Buncombe County Detention Facility is currently fully operational. As of noon today, we are housing 256 males and 34 females, for a total of 290. I have authorized the transfer of 141 detainees to other facilities in North Carolina to maintain our responsibility of providing a top level of care for our detainees.