Russell Gilliland withdraws acceptance of BMPD position

Police chief to remain in Maggie Valley

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 24, 2021

The Town of Black Mountain will continue its search for a new police chief after Russell Gilliland made the decision to remain with the Maggie Valley Police Department. Photo by Fred McCormick

Less than a week after verbally accepting an offer to become the chief of the Black Mountain Police Department, Russell Gilliland has decided to remain in Maggie Valley.

The announcement comes after what Gilliland calls “overwhelming support” from the community he currently serves, and leaves the Town of Black Mountain searching for a new police chief.

Gilliland, a native of Haywood County, became the chief of the Maggie Valley Police Department in 2017. He was one of approximately 20 applicants who sought to fill the position in Black Mountain, following the July 30 retirement of previous chief, Shawn Freeman. 

The Town of Black Mountain announced last Thursday that Gilliland had accepted the position. The Maggie Valley chief, however, informed the town, Aug. 24, that he was declining the offer. 

Chief Russell Gilliland will remain with the Maggie Valley Police Department, less than a week after verbally accepting an offer from the Town of Black Mountain to fill the same position. Photo courtesy of Maggie Valley Police Department

“As word started to spread that I was leaving the department, I was overwhelmed by the support of my local community,” Gilliland said. “It is with great regret, and through no fault of Black Mountain, that I have decided to decline the position.”

The chief reiterated that he believed the local government in the Town of Black Mountain was “top notch,” but said he was humbled by the number of people who contacted him and asked him to remain in Maggie Valley. 

Black Mountain will resume its search for a new police chief, according to town officials.