Shane Hilliard

Shane Hilliard was sworn in as Sheriff of Yancey County on January 1, 2022, appointed to fulfill the term of the retired sheriff. He began his career at the Yancey County Sheriff's Office in 2001 as a Jailer and subsequently served as a Dispatcher, Deputy, K9 Deputy, School Resource Officer, Courthouse Security Chief, and Chief Jailer. In 2014, he was promoted to Chief Deputy, a role he held for seven years. Hilliard is a 1998 graduate of Mountain Heritage High School and a Certified North Carolina Criminal Justice Instructor. He is a Deacon at Double Island Baptist Church. On December 1, 2025, he officially filed for his second term.