From Staff Reports

A day after Herbert Blake announced his resignation as Hendersonville’s police chief, his hiring as Buncombe County’s new chief deputy was unveiled by Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller.

According to an Aug. 11 news release from the Buncombe Sheriff’s Office, Blake served as police chief of the HPD for 12 years. Before that, he served as police chief of Loris, S.C., for seven years.

In the release, Miller said, “Chief Blake has led the Hendersonville PD in a professional and responsive manner for the last 12 years. Both law enforcement professionals and the commnity he served in Hendersonville will tell you he is well-respected and appreciated. 

“I took me some time to get Chief Blake to leave a good situation and now I am excited about the opportunity to work with him in serving the people of Buncombe County and continuing to implement 21st Century policing.”

Blake “did not give a reason for his departure from the HPD, according to Hendersonville spokeswoman Allison Justus,” the Asheville Citizen Times reported. “His last day with the department will be Aug. 21.”

In Buncombe’s release, Blake said, “Hendersonville is a wonderful city. And I am proud of the many service-oriented initiatives we implemented with the men and women of HPD during my stewardship there.

“Still, having an opportunity to serve in a leadership position with Sheriff Miller at the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office during this important time in society presents a unique professional opportunity.

“I look forward to serving with the men and women of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. I know they, like Sheriff Miller, are eager to excel and make a positive difference in Buncombe County.”

Blake holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration from Park University and a master’s degree in management from Webster University.

In addition, he graduated from the Public Executive Leadership Academy at the School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill, the Police Executive Development Programs at Penn State University and the executive management program at Northwestern University.

“Miller suspended his last chief deputy, Don Eberhardt, on April 24 after a reported gun theft April 9 at a South Asheville store,” the ACT noted. “Eberhardt was indicted July 6 by a grand jury. He is facing one count of felony larceny and one count of felony possession of stolen guns....

“In a statement that day, Miller said Eberhardt and his office had cooperated with the SBI investigation and that Eberhardt had resigned, but that he still considered him a friend.”