North Wilkesboro Police Department

06/08/2026

Good job Officer Sheets.
Below is a letter sent to NWPD from a NC resident.
I am writing today to formally commend Officer Allison Sheets for her extraordinary compassion, courage, calmness, and selfless actions during a traumatic incident involving my family on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m. at Cascade Falls.
All I wanted for Mother’s Day was for my family to unplug from everyday life and spend time together enjoying God’s creation. My husband, son, daughter, and our two beloved dogs—who we consider part of our family—spent the afternoon hiking and enjoying the beauty of the falls. Unfortunately, our peaceful day took a devastating and unexpected turn when our carefree, goofy Doodle, Rosie, leapt over the falls in what witnesses estimated to be a 30–40 foot drop.

As you can imagine, my children and I watched the accident happen in slow motion and immediately went into complete panic. Rosie is deeply loved by our family, and in those moments our minds went to the worst possible outcome. While we were overwhelmed and trying to determine how to help her, we encountered Officer Allison Sheets and her two children.

From the very first moment, Officer Sheets was the calm in our storm.

She gently guided my children and me to a safe area while a group of compassionate individuals worked together to rescue Rosie from the mountainside. During the chaos, Officer Sheets comforted both me and my children, helping keep us calm while events unfolded around us. Her kindness and steady presence brought reassurance during one of the most terrifying moments our family has experienced.
Officer Sheets and her children went far beyond any expectation of duty or humanity. They offered my children snacks, spoke calmly with them, and helped ease their fears with every step being taken to save Rosie. When a medic miraculously arrived to assess Rosie, I was still in shock and unsure what to do next. I remember looking directly at Officer Sheets and asking, “What do I do now?”

Without hesitation, she immediately took action. She contacted a nearby animal hospital, obtained the number for a 24-hour emergency veterinary facility, and even made the initial call on my behalf so I could explain Rosie’s condition. Knowing I was unfamiliar with the area, Officer Sheets also sent me the address and directions to ensure we could get there quickly.
Courage, composure, empathy, and servant-hearted leadership. The actions she and her children took that day had a profound impact on my family and will stay with us forever.

In a world where so much uncertainty exists, Officer Allison Sheets reminded us what true humanity, service, and compassion look like. “Thank you” hardly feels sufficient for what she did for our family that day, but I hope this letter helps communicate the depth of our gratitude and admiration.

Please recognize Officer Allison Sheets for the incredible example she set through her actions, professionalism, and heart for others.

With deepest gratitude,
Stephanie Auton

📸 Officer Sheets, her daughter and Mayor Randy Huffman at a recent Town Board of Commissioners meeting where Officer Sheets was recognized.

05/31/2026

Officer JAMES RAYBURN GRAYSON.

Officer James Grayson was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious person.

At approximately 8:55 p.m. on the night of May 31, 1933, Night Officer John Walker (who would later become the chief of police) and Night Officer Grayson were on duty and received a call that two men had brandished a pistol at Beeches Place on 10th Street (beside the current Wilkes County Library). The officers responded, locating only one of the suspects.

Officer Walker followed the suspect down 10th Street toward Main Street, and Officer Grayson went up the alley between 10th and 9th streets, behind what was then Dick's Service Station, and then turned right and went toward Main Street.

When Officer Grayson reached Main Street, he located the suspect in front of the Deposit and Savings Bank. When Officer Grayson took hold of the suspect’s arm, five shots were fired. Officer Grayson was struck twice, once in the arm and once in the abdomen. The suspect fled on foot through an alley. Officer Grayson walked a few steps toward Officer Walker, who was near the Boone Trail marker at the corner of 10th and Main Street, telling him he had been shot.

Officer Grayson was taken by automobile to the Wilkes Hospital, where he died at 5 a.m. the next morning.
Officer Grayson was born on December 5, 1910 to J.C Grayson and Bessie Jenkins Grayson. Officer Grayson was single and had served with the department since 1931.
He was 22 years old.

The suspect, Glenn Walsh, 24 of the Summit community was arrested soon after the shooting at C.O. Bumgarner’s store on Boone Trail Hwy. at the top of Cotton Mill Hill by Deputy Sheriff Silas Reynolds.
After a search of the area where the shooting had taken place, the murder weapon, a .32 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver was found and recovered as evidence.

Three months after the shooting, Walsh was brought before the Wilkes County Superior Court for trial. Walsh was represented by three attorneys, with one being James E. Holshouser, (whose son, James E. Holshouser Jr, later became NC Governor).
The case was prosecuted by Solicitor John R. Jones, who was assisted by attorney and Mayor of North Wilkesboro, J.A. Rousseau, who later became resident Superior Court Judge and who was the father of retired Superior Court Judge J.A. Rousseau Jr.

A group of 75 men from Avery County was brought to Wilkes to serve as jurors. The trial began on Tuesday, August 8th and concluded on Friday, August 12th, 1933.
After four hours of deliberation the following day, the jury found the defendant guilty of second degree murder and sentenced him to 30 years.
During the June 6, 1933 Town of North Wilkesboro Board meeting, the Mayor and Commissioners passed a resolution extending sympathies to the Grayson family. A fund raising drive was held for a plaque that was placed at the grave of Officer Grayson in the northwest corner of the North Wilkesboro City Cemetery on 6th Street. The marker reads, "ln memoriam, James Rayburn Grayson, Police Officer who lost his life in the discharge of his duty, June 1, 1933, placed by appreciative citizens".

In March 2011 the West D Street (Business 421) bridge over the Reddies River was dedicated to the memory of Officer Grayson after an effort by then Police Chief Joe Rankin, working with NC DOT.

05/31/2026

Save these dates below for Fan Fest 🏁 in the boros and other concerts on the deck.

05/31/2026

05/29/2026

Town employees and staff have spent the past couple days planting flowers, spreading mulch and pine straw.
Thank you all, it looks great!

05/25/2026

🇺🇸

05/22/2026

Today we remember Police Chief Burvin Boonie Shell who served from 1962 until 1967 in North Wilkesboro.
Chief Shell was born in the Hendrix Community of western Wilkes County May 23, 1913. He passed away on February 25, 1994 at the age of 80.

As part of the America 250 🇺🇸 celebration, we are recognizing our history and past Police Chiefs.
If you have any more information on Chief Shell, please share below.

05/18/2026

We are kicking off racing season in North Wilkesboro but we remind everyone that speeding is reserved for the race track.
Slow down and follow the speed limit on all town streets! 🏁