Asked about his personal background in an April 28, 2022 High Country Press candidate interview, Henley said: “I am a conservative Christian who has lived in Avery County for 25 years.”

Conversation with Avery County Sheriff Candidate Mike Henley

Conversation with Avery County Sheriff Candidate Mike Henley ...

Asked about his law-enforcement background in an April 28, 2022 High Country Press candidate interview, Henley said: “I have 34 years of law enforcement experience. That includes: 1988-1994, Asheville Police Department-Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Emergency Response Team (Recipient of Medal of Valor); 1994-2017 (retired the latter year), North Carolina State Highway Patrol: 93rd Basic Patrol School, promoted to Sergeant in 2008; 2017-2020 Banner Elk Police Department – Patrol Sergeant.” He also identified an Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, undergraduate sociology studies at the University of North Carolina Asheville, and completion of the Administrative Officers Management Program at North Carolina State University.

Mike Henley previously worked in the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and Emergency Response Team at the Asheville Police Department; served as a sergeant with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol; and worked as a patrol sergeant with the Banner Elk Police Department.

Mike previously worked in the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and Emergency Response Team at the Asheville Police Department; served as a sergeant with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol; and worked as a patrol sergeant with the Banner Elk Police Department.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections' November 29, 2022 statewide abstract for the November 8, 2022 general election lists the Avery County sheriff result as: “AVERY COUNTY SHERIFF Mike Henley REP 5,874 4,037 1,651 128 58.” Henley had first been sworn in as interim Avery County sheriff on June 29, 2022, following an appointment by the Avery County Republican Party Executive Committee that the Avery County Board of Commissioners approved by resolution.

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Mike was elected Avery County sheriff in 2022.

2026 North Carolina General Election

In an April 28, 2022 High Country Press candidate interview, Henley was asked what Avery County residents and others with business before the sheriff's department could expect if he were elected. He responded: “I will implement strong, effective leadership that will hold our members accountable and provide the necessary oversight. I will ensure that we understand our service to the public and how important it is to maintain their confidence. I will emphasize the need for strong relationships with each community to better serve the citizens of Avery County.”

In an April 28, 2022 High Country Press candidate interview, Henley identified recruitment and retention as a challenge for the sheriff's office and said: “One significant challenge will be recruiting and retaining qualified applicants. We must be able to provide a competitive wage while operating within our budget.”

In an April 28, 2022 High Country Press candidate interview, Henley identified a further management priority after discussing recruitment and compensation: “Another challenge will be implementing policy, protocols and processes that will enable us to perform our mission more efficiently and continue to provide professional law enforcement services.”

Plans to hold members of the sheriff's office accountable, provide oversight, and strengthen community relationships to maintain public confidence.

Calls for competitive wages within the sheriff's office budget to help recruit and retain qualified personnel.

Plans to implement policies, protocols, and processes intended to improve efficiency and maintain professional law-enforcement services.

- Plans to hold members of the sheriff's office accountable, provide oversight, and strengthen community relationships to maintain public confidence.
- Calls for competitive wages within the sheriff's office budget to help recruit and retain qualified personnel.
- Plans to implement policies, protocols, and processes intended to improve efficiency and maintain professional law-enforcement services.

Public Safety

In an August 25, 2022 Spectrum Local News report on the Avery County Detention Center operating as an intake-only facility after inmates were transferred because of staffing shortages, Henley said: “If there’s a bright spot in this, we have been able to do maintenance that hasn’t been able to be done over the years, like painting and things like that, and utilize some of the employees we have been able to retain.”

Avery County Detention Center adjusts amid staffing shortages

Said the detention center used retained employees to complete overdue maintenance during an intake-only period caused by staffing shortages.

- Said the detention center used retained employees to complete overdue maintenance during an intake-only period caused by staffing shortages.

Jail Management

In an April 28, 2022 High Country Press candidate interview, Henley described the qualities of a successful sheriff: “A good, successful sheriff will strive to build relationships with the community with a commonsense approach to better serve. A sheriff will apply the law fair and unbiased without favoritism. A sheriff should have the ability to be firm but compassionate when necessary. A sheriff should also demonstrate ethics and integrity in both his personal and professional life.”

In an April 28, 2022 High Country Press candidate interview, Henley answered a question about what residents and criminals could expect if he were elected: “Criminals can expect a department that will work to mitigate criminal activity with every resource available. We will respect the rights of every citizen while implementing a proactive approach to crime. We will work diligently to ensure criminals are prosecuted and held accountable for their actions.”

Said a sheriff should apply the law fairly and without favoritism while being firm and compassionate when necessary.

Plans to use available resources proactively to reduce crime while respecting residents' rights and seeking prosecution and accountability for offenders.

- Said a sheriff should apply the law fairly and without favoritism while being firm and compassionate when necessary.
- Plans to use available resources proactively to reduce crime while respecting residents' rights and seeking prosecution and accountability for offenders.

Criminal Justice

Mike Henley

Mike Henley has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and studied sociology at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. He has lived in Avery County for 25 years with his wife, Vanessa. They have two daughters.

Mike is the sheriff of Avery County. He previously worked as a patrol sergeant for the Banner Elk Police Department from 2017 to 2020. Before that, he served as a trooper for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol from 1994 to 2017, retiring as a sergeant. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Asheville Police Department from 1988 to 1994.

Mike is currently the sheriff of Avery County. He was appointed to the position in 2023.

Mike Henley is from Linville, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and studied sociology at the University of North Carolina. He and his wife, Vanessa, have two daughters. He has lived in Avery County for 25 years.

Mike is the sheriff of Avery County. He previously worked for the Asheville Police Department, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and the Banner Elk Police Department. He has 34 years of law enforcement experience. 

Sheriff's Office

Mike is from Avery County, North Carolina. He attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. He lives with his wife, Vanessa, and their two daughters. He is a conservative Christian.

Mike is a sheriff. He works at the Avery County Sheriff's Office. He previously worked as a patrol sergeant at the Banner Elk Police Department from 2017 to 2020, served as a sergeant with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol from 1994 to 2017, and worked in the Asheville Police Department’s patrol division, Criminal Investigation Division, and Emergency Response Team from 1988 to 1994.

Avery County detention officer on leave after deadly shooting | wcnc ...

Avery County, North Carolina, elections, 2022 - Ballotpedia

Mike Henley is currently interim Sheriff of Avery County. He was appointed to complete the former Sheriff’s term and won election in May.

Mike is from Avery County, North Carolina. He attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. He lives with his wife, Vanessa, and their two daughters in Avery County. He attends a local church.

Mike is the Sheriff of Avery County. He works at the Avery County Sheriff’s Office, where he has been since his appointment as interim sheriff. He previously worked at the Banner Elk Police Department, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and the Asheville Police Department.

Mike Henley is currently the interim Sheriff of Avery County. He was appointed to complete the former Sheriff’s term and won his primary election in May.

Mike is from Avery County, North Carolina. He attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. He lives with his wife and their two daughters in Avery County.

Mike Henley is currently the Avery County Sheriff. He was appointed to complete the former sheriff’s term and subsequently won the primary election in May.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

- The sheriff is responsible for enforcing the law, managing security in jails and courtrooms. They also oversee daily conditions of the jail and inmates in custody and serve legal documents such as warrants and eviction notices. Their ultimate responsibility is to protect the community. 

Responsible for enforcing the law and overseeing jails. 