Politics

Edwards honors city police chief in Congressional Record tribute

Chief Blair Myhand receives an American flag and framed copy of Congressional Record remarks from U.S.Rep. Chuck Edwards aide Tommy Laughter.

By Amy McCraw, Published: April 5, 2024

Hendersonville Police Chief Blair Myhand received a surprise recognition from the office of U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards during Thursday’s City Council meeting.

Edwards aide Tommy Laughter presented Myhand with an Amereican flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol and a framed copy of remarks Edwards made on the House floor earlier this year about Myhand’s service as the 2023 president of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police and his decades of commitment to public safety.
Myhand on Friday said he was surprised to receive the recognition.
“I was floored by that,” he said. “I didn’t know what to say.”
In remarks read into the Congressional Record, Edwards, who represents North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District including Henderson County, praised Myhand as a decorated war veteran and longtime law enforcement officer who has served as the city’s police chief since 2021.
Myhand began his law enforcement career in 1994 with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. He was one of three Metro PD first responders to reach the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. For his heroism on that day, Myhand was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, according to Edwards's tribute. Myhand served in the military before beginning his law enforcement career. During his tour in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.