Lieutenant Glenn Harold Hicks, 53, of the Avery County Sheriff’s Office was shot and killed on February 20, 2003, after responding to a 911 call about a disturbance involving a mentally disturbed individual. As he and his partner exited their patrol car the suspect ambushed them with a shotgun; Hicks was struck in the face with .00 buckshot and killed instantly. His partner was hit in the face with birdshot, crawled back to the patrol car and called for help.

The suspect fled to a nearby cave, prompting a standoff that involved nearly 400 local, state and federal officers. After negotiations failed, flash-bang devices were used and the suspect surrendered. Family complaints about the suspect’s mental stability had led to confiscation of his guns days earlier, but a court order returned the weapons shortly before the shooting. In July 2005 the suspect was found incompetent to stand trial; in November 2013 he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state hospital.

Hicks had served five years as a reserve deputy before becoming a full-time deputy. He is survived by his wife, son, sister, two brothers and three grandchildren. A bridge on NC Highway 194 and a street approaching the county courthouse were named in his honor. Does anyone have memories of Hicks or information about that day to share?