Yancey County Sheriff's Office

09/12/2026

Today, on National Police Woman Day, we recognize the dedicated women of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office.

Thank you for your professionalism, compassion, and commitment to serving Yancey County. We’re proud to have you on our team! 💙

Happy National Police Woman Day!

09/12/2026

Blue Ridge Relay Traffic Notice


The Blue Ridge Relay will be passing through Yancey County overnight and into tomorrow morning. Runners will be traveling through the Green Mountain, Jack’s Creek, US 19E, Bolens Creek, and NC 197 South areas.
Motorists are asked to slow down, stay alert, and watch for runners and support vehicles along these roadways.
Please use extra caution and help us keep everyone safe.
— Yancey County Sheriff’s Office

09/11/2026

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

September 11, 2001
Remembering the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the families forever changed.
Yancey County Sheriff’s Office

09/10/2026

🚔 ONE TEAM. ONE MISSION. 🚔

As part of the 2026 NCGHSP Labor Day “Booze It & Lose It” Campaign, the Burnsville Police Department joined forces with the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to conduct a joint traffic enforcement operation and checking station in our community on Saturday, September 5th.

The goal was simple: keep impaired drivers off our roads and help everyone make it home safely.

This joint traffic operation resulted in 29 total charges, including a felony narcotics arrest, additional drug and drug paraphernalia charges, two DWI arrests, and various traffic offenses involving no operator’s license, driving while license revoked, and vehicle regulatory violations.

Operations like this are about more than enforcement. They are about prevention, visibility, and agencies working together toward the same goal. When local, county, and state law enforcement combine resources, we can make a greater impact on the safety of everyone traveling through our community.

We appreciate the deputies and troopers who worked alongside our officers and the motorists who exercised patience and caution while traveling through the checking station.

One Team. One Mission. Safer Roads. Stronger Communities.

Please remember: If you drink, don’t drive. Plan ahead, designate a sober driver, and help us keep Yancey County safe.

09/09/2026

IMPORTANT SCAM WARNING: Don't let the next victim be you!

We have received multiple reports of scam calls involving claims of missed jury duty, outstanding warrants, and unpaid fines. Please take a minute to review the attached poster and familiarize yourself with the warning signs and tactics commonly used by scammers. A minute of awareness now could help ensure the next victim isn’t you or someone you care about.

09/09/2026

When the call comes… we have to be ready.

SRT members from Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery counties came together in Yancey County with one purpose—

to train together…
prepare together…
and be ready together.

Three counties.
One team.

One mission.
One goal.

Ready… when it matters.

09/08/2026

⚠️ PUBLIC NOTICE – LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING EXERCISE TODAY

The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office would like to make residents aware that a multi-county law enforcement training exercise will take place TODAY, September 8, from 12:00 p.m. until approximately 6:00 p.m. in the Pensacola area of Yancey County.
Residents may notice an increased law enforcement presence, emergency vehicles, and other training-related activity in the area during this time.
There is no emergency. This is a planned training exercise involving law enforcement personnel from multiple counties.
We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation while this important training is conducted.

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day!

The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office administrative offices will be closed today in observance of Labor Day.

As always, our deputies, detention officers, and 911 communications staff remain on duty serving Yancey County.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Labor Day!

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

YCSO and N.C. Community Supervision Officers Conduct Joint Search

The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside N.C. Probation/Parole Officers with the Department of Adult Correction’s Division of Community Supervision, recently conducted a search that resulted in the arrest of Priscilla Leona Riddle.
As a result of the search and subsequent investigation, Riddle was charged with:

Exposing a child to a controlled substance
Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance
Possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
Multiple counts of simple possession of controlled substances
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Possession of ma*****na paraphernalia

Riddle received a $50,000 surety bond.
“This case is another example of what can be accomplished when agencies work together,” said Sheriff Shane Hilliard. “Illegal drugs continue to have a serious impact on individuals and families in our community, and when children are exposed to that environment, it becomes even more concerning. I appreciate our deputies and our partners with N.C. Community Supervision for working together on this case.”
The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with our local and state partners to combat illegal drug activity and protect the children and families of Yancey County.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.