Lieutenant Glenn Harold Hicks, aged 53, was a dedicated officer with the Avery County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina. On February 20, 2003, he responded 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' partner was shot in the face with birdshot, and as Hicks came to his aid, he was shot in the face with .00 buckshot and killed instantly.
His partner managed to crawl back to the patrol car and call for assistance.
The suspect fled to a nearby cave, leading to a standoff involving nearly 400 local, state, and federal officers. After failed negotiations, flash-bang devices were detonated, causing the suspect to surrender. The suspect had previously had his guns confiscated due to mental instability complaints from his family, but they were returned by court order just days before the shooting. In July 2005, the suspect was found incompetent to stand trial, and in November 2013, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state hospital.
Lieutenant Hicks was a respected member of the community and had served as a reserve deputy for five years before becoming a full-time deputy. He is survived by his wife, son, sister, two brothers, and three grandchildren. In his honor, a bridge on NC Highway 194 was named after him, and a street approaching the county courthouse was renamed Glenn Hicks Lane.
The tragic incident highlighted the dangers law enforcement officers face and the complexities of dealing with individuals suffering from mental health issues. Hicks' dedication and sacrifice are remembered and honored by his family, friends, and fellow officers.
