Hall joins Sheriff's Department as Shook's new Chief Deputy
By Carla Gwaltney Owens

New Clay County Chief Deputy Jerry Hall is hard at work in his new post overseeing the daily operations at the Sheriff's Department.

Although Clay County Sheriff Joe Shook has been putting in many long hours since being elected, he says he is not complaining. "It's a challenge to update this office," Shook said of bringing the Clay County Sheriff's Department into the 21st Century. Before Christmas, Shook and his staff began moving from pencil and paper to a new computer system, just one of the many changes taking place at the local department. Before the end of 2006, Shook welcomed a new Chief Deputy to his staff to help meet the challenges of updating the department.

"I want to do it," Shook said of the challenge of updating the department to meet the needs of Clay County. "It's not like a job to me. I want to provide outstanding law enforcement for the people of Clay County. I love law enforcement and this my county."

Of the decision to come out of retirement to face the daunting task of serving as Sheriff - which has so far meant 12 and 14 hour days - Shook said he knew what he was getting into. "I'm not complaining. I want to serve the people. You can go fishing only so much," Shook commented of the retirement days which he has put behind him. Now, Shook is looking forward to putting his many years of experience in law enforcement and wisdom gained through those years to use for the citizens of Clay County.

And come alongside to help Shook is another veteran of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Jerry Hall, who was recently sworn in as Chief Deputy. Hall spent 29 years with the highway patrol before retiring and most recently served with the Sheriff's Department in Jackson County.

Hall said that he has had quite a bit of experience through his years in law enforcement and hopes to use that experience to help make the Clay County Sheriff's Department the best it can be.

Hall said the first step in creating an excellent department is people - bottom line is you have to have people, and then those people have to have the proper training and the proper equipment, Hall commented. He stressed that for the men and women who serve to be effective in their jobs they must have the proper equipment and training. "We have good people," Hall commented of the personnel and officers at the Sheriff's Department. "I feel very positive about everybody."

Hall said one of his main objectives as the new Chief Deputy in charge of the day to day operations of the office is to bring more organization which will help everyone go about their jobs in a more "efficient manner."

"I'm from Clay County," Hall commented, "and I wanted to come back and be a positive influence in Clay County. We want to get a department the people can be proud of. I'm happy to be back and be a part of the community again."

Of his new job, Hall said he has a very full plate overseeing the everyday operations of the department and jail.

"There is plenty to do," he said.

One of the changes Hall sees as needed is the addition of deputies to the department. Hall said that the North Carolina Department of Justice recommends that a county have two officers for every 1,000 residents. Currently, Hall said Clay County has 12 sworn officers, 13 if you count Sheriff Shook. With almost 10,000 residents, according to Department of Justice recommendations, Clay County should have 20 officers. Hall said Clay County is short at least five officers. Shook and Hall are currently looking at possible grant money to help fund additional officers. Hall said that the county could run a very efficient department with a few more officers.

"I have a very good feeling about the county and where it is heading," Hall added, pointing to the new jail and courthouse currently under construction. "(The county) is on the right road trying to make a lot of improvements to all the departments." Hall commented that over the next few years many improvements will be made, adding, "It's the right direction. We can't continue to operate out of our current facilities. They are not very modern."

Hall said the new facilities under construction are a definite step in the right direction. However, with these new facilities will come the need for more employees and more equipment.

But for now, Hall said his main goal is to simply get the department organized and running smoothly. "Things are running more smoothly this week than last and we will keep improving each week."

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