Sheriff Gary Banks announces he will not seek re-election

May 13, 2021

Yancey County 
Sheriff D. Gary Banks
Press Release

I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election for 
Yancey County Sheriff in the upcoming 2022 election cycle.

2022 will mark 40 years since I first started working for the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office. I am very proud and humbled to have served as your Sheriff for the past 11 years. The time has come to step aside and allow ranking, experienced members of the Sheriff’s Office to be promoted and take over the management of the Sheriff’s Office. 

The Office is operating smoothly and I truly believe that I will be leaving the office in very capable hands. I have been blessed with putting together an extremely well qualified and trained staff. The Sheriff’s Office is comprised of some of the finest and most caring people. They genuinely care about the community they serve. 

I look forward to retirement and enjoying more time with my family and time to concentrate on my hobbies. I have been blessed to serve the citizens of Yancey County for many years. I intend to continue living in the Cane River community of our beautiful county.

I  endorse Chief Deputy Shane Hilliard for Yancey County Sheriff in the 2022 election cycle. Shane was hired by the Sheriff’s Office in 2001 as a Dispatcher. He excelled quickly and was promoted to serve as a Deputy Sheriff. He went on to serve in the positions of School Resource Officer, Courthouse Security Chief, and Chief Jailer. In 2014, he was once again promoted and has served as my Chief Deputy for more than six years. 
In addition to his years of experience, his training makes him very qualified for the position. He is a Certified North Carolina Criminal Justice Instructor and has taught Officers from a number of counties and jurisdictions. Shane has successfully completed several executive level training programs including the NC State University Law Enforcement Executive Program, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Program, National Institute of Corrections in Jail Administration, FBI Command College, and he holds a North Carolina Advanced Law Enforcement Certification. 

Shane, who is a 1998 graduate of Mountain Heritage High School, is very active in the community and with Double Island Baptist Church where he and his family are members.

I sincerely appreciate our wonderful community and the support I have received during my years of service to the citizens of Yancey County.

Respectfully,

D. Gary Banks
Third generation
Yancey County Sheriff