
The town of Beech Mountain has a new police officer.
High Country Press reports Kevin Gardner has been sworn in as the town's newest officer.
Gardner is a former jailer and deputy with the Avery County Sheriff’s Department and a former police officer with the Village of Sugar Mountain.
Gardner also is a member of the Frank Fire Department and a former member of Green Valley Fire Department in Avery County.
He earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Mayland Community College.
The Beech Mountain Police Department patrols a total jurisdiction of 71 miles.