In a statement, Sheriff Miller reflected on his nearly seven years in office, acknowledging the significant challenges the community and the department have faced, including the social fallout from the death of George Floyd, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
"I continue to learn every day at this job, and I want to build upon what we have accomplished so far," Miller stated. "Despite those challenges, I believe the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is the premier law enforcement agency in Western North Carolina, and I hope our community will allow me a third term to continue this work.”
Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
Sheriff Miller highlighted several key policy changes and programs enacted during his tenure:
ICE Detainer Policy: An early and impactful change was the 2019 policy to not honor ICE detainers without a valid judicial warrant. Miller champions this policy as a means to ensure the immigrant community can report crimes and seek help from law enforcement without fear of immediate detention and deportation.
MAT Program Expansion: Miller oversaw the expansion of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program at the Buncombe County Detention Facility. This program is one of only two pilot programs in the state funded by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. In 2022, then-Governor Josh Stein lauded the initiative as the “gold standard.”
Accreditation Push: The Sheriff has been leading efforts to move the Sheriff’s Office toward “Triple Crown” accreditation. This rigorous certification, which includes review by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation, and the American Correctional Association, would set Buncombe apart from most law enforcement agencies statewide. Other accomplishments include implementing a Duty to Intervene policy and banning No-Knock Warrants.
A Lifetime of Service
Born and raised in Asheville, Miller graduated from Asheville High School in 1981. He served 11 years as a military policeman in the U.S. Army, where he met his wife, Karen Sconiers, at Fort Bragg in 1985. The couple has been married for 39 years and has 11 grandchildren. Beyond his law enforcement career, the Millers have been devoted foster parents, having fostered more than 100 children since 2005.
His decision to seek a third term signals his intent to solidify the department's position as a leader in modernized, community-centered law enforcement in the region.
WNCTimes
Image: Buncombe County Sheriff's Office