Sergeant Stacy Ayers signs off

Black Mountain Police officer retires after 27 years on the force

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 22, 2020 

Stacy Ayers, right, celebrates his retirement after 27 years with the Black Mountain Police Department as Chief Shawn Freeman presents him with shadow box recognizing his service of the Town. Photo by Fred McCormick

A familiar voice was heard over the radio waves on the afternoon of Sept. 20, as Sergeant Stacy Ayers signed off of his shift. The message, while simple, marked a significant moment for the Black Mountain Police Department.

“804: final sign-off, after 27 years of service for the Town of Black Mountain,” Ayers said. “It has been an honor and a privilege serving with each and every one of you. God bless you all.”

The response from the dispatcher was one of respect and gratitude.

“You have been a great friend to many throughout your career,” the words echoed through the radio. “Thank you for your hard work and dedication. You have served the Town of Black Mountain tirelessly and with integrity. Sergeant Ayers, it is my honor to acknowledge your final call for 804, badge number 701. We have it from here sir, enjoy your well-deserved retirement.”

With that exchange came the end of an era in local law enforcement.

Hired as a full-time employee by the department in 1994, Ayers has been a fixture in the town for nearly three decades.

“It was hard,” he said of that final message, surrounded by dozens of former colleagues, friends and family who gathered on the deck at Phil’s Bar-B-Que two days after his final shift. “Black Mountain Police Department has been my life for all these years. I’m going to miss it.”

Ayers began his career with the department as a reserve officer in 1992, and was hired by Sonny Slagle two years later. The former chief, who led BMPD for two decades, was one of many who showed up to celebrate Ayers’ retirement.

Sonny Slagle, right, hired Stacy Ayers in 1994, near the end of his two-decade tenure as the chief of the Black Mountain Police Department. The former chief was one of many former colleagues to celebrate Ayers' retirement after 27 years with the department. Fred McCormick

“He was the last officer I hired during my time with the department,” Slagle said. “We wanted good officers who could get along with the people in the community and perform their duty. I was very pleased with him.”

Ayers, a native of Swannanoa who graduated from Owen High School, had found his dream job.

Cupcakes decorated with the call number used by Stacy Ayers and a framed transcript of his final sign-off before retirement recognized his 27-year career with the Black Mountain Police Department. Fred McCormick

“I always said I wanted to do two things in my life,” he said. “I wanted to be in the Navy and have a career in law enforcement. I’m fortunate to have done both of those things.”

Ayers was more than a law enforcement officer, according to current BMPD Chief Shawn Freeman, who presented the retiree with a plaque and a shadow box containing badges worn by the sergeant throughout his career.

“What he’s meant to the community, and his community outreach during his time with this department is hard to put into words,” Freeman said of Ayers. “The guys will have big shoes to fill.”

Ayers worked under several chiefs during his tenure with the department, including Slagle, Freeman, Allen Willet, Steve Padgett and former Black Mountain and Montreat chief Jack Staggs.

“He is a tremendous part of this community,” said Staggs, who was one of several current or former chiefs to attend the Sept. 22 retirement celebration.

Ayers, who will work for the Department of Health and Human Services following his retirement from the department, expressed gratitude for the support of the community during his career.

“This is my home, and this town has always been good to me,” he said. “I hope I did a good job for them.”

There is no question as to whether or not Ayers served the community and department well, according to Freeman.

“Before I was even sworn in, I started coming up and dropping stuff off at the department,” he said. “Stacy was one of the first officers I met, and his outgoing personality stood out. He made me and wife feel right at home. That’s his personality, and that’s what made him so good at engaging the community; people respond well to him because of his pleasant demeanor.”

In many ways, Ayers developed in his role as the town grew around him, Freeman added.

“He’s been here for 27 years, so we’re losing someone who knows the history behind a lot of the stuff that many of us don’t know,” he said. “More importantly, we’re losing all of those years of knowledge and mentorship that he has provided for all of these years.”

While nearly three decades of service in law enforcement is an accomplishment in its own right, the chief continued, 27 years with the same department is a rare feat.

“To stay in one department, in one town, for an entire career is almost unheard of these days,” Freeman said. “To me that shows his dedication to this community. People know him and relate well with him, and watching his approach to his job has been a great help to the younger officers.”

Retiring is “bittersweet,” according to Ayers, who adds that he feels “blessed” to have served Black Mountain.

“I am lucky to have worked with the people I’ve worked with in the community we serve,” he said. “I’ll be here if Black Mountain ever needs me.”