News

Chief deputy retiring

By Bill Moss, Published: December 4, 2015

Jerry Rice, a road deputy who worked his way up through nearly every division before being named chief deputy a year ago, is retiring from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office next week.
A Transylvania County native and Brevard High School graduate, Rice started his law enforcement career as a Brevard police officer.
“I moved here to take the job with the sheriff’s office,” he said.
Sheriff Ab Jackson hired the young recruit from the county next door. He would become the first of six sheriffs Rice worked for (counting interims) over the next 28 years and managed to endure seven sheriff’s election without ending up on the wrong side.
How was the job?
“Challenging and rewarding,” he said. “The Lord has blessed me with many many opportunities here. It really has been a privilege to serve the people of Henderson County and I’m thankful for it.”
Appointed chief deputy a year ago, Rice held the top job under Sheriff Charlie McDonald after serving in nearly every division of the agency. Maj. Frank Stout said McDonald had not yet named a new chief deputy.
Rice started out on patrol in 1987. Two years later, he was promoted to corporal and moved into drug enforcement, and stayed in that section until 1994, the year George Erwin pulled off a stunning upset of the popular incumbent in a Republican primary. A sergeant by then, Rice moved into the property crimes division. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2003. In 2010, Sheriff Rick Davis put Rice in charge of internal affairs and promoted him to captain and also made him the public information officer. In 2012, he became a major over operations.
“I had responsibility over the jail then,” he said. “That was quite an interesting tour of duty.”
McDonald named him chief deputy on Dec. 5, 2014.
Asked what he’ll do now, Rice did not hesitate.
“First and foremost, I’m looking forward to being here with my family for Christmas this year,” he said. “I’m excited about that. That’s the No. 1 priority right now.”
Looking back, Rice said he’s grateful for the many different and interesting things he was able to do over three decades of catching bad guys, investigating crime and managing the operation. He’s been an instructor, helicopter pilot, polygraph examiner and an administrator. “I’ve had all kinds of opportunities,” he said.
The Henderson County Board of Commissioners will recognize Rice on Monday when it takes up the sheriff’s request to give him his department-issued handgun, routine for longtime sheriff’s deputies.
“Chief Deputy Rice has served for a total of 28 years in the Sheriff’s Office,” says a resolution the board will take up. "He has spent his adult life serving our community and agency. To honor him and show their gratitude, the Sheriff’s
Department intends to present his service badge and service sidearm to him.”