Longtime Hendersonville Police Chief Bill Powers Dies
The city of Hendersonville is mourning the loss of one of its longtime police chiefs. William Vernon "Bill" Powers died Saturday, October 30, 2010, at the Elizabeth House. He was 90 years old.
According to his obituary, Powers is the second-longest serving chief of police in Hendersonville's history. He served for 22 years, second only to the 25 years put in by his father, Otis Vernon Powers. The Police Department's Web site says Bill Powers became chief of police in 1956 and served until 1978. He later became head of the city's Public Works Department before retiring in the late 1980s, according to the police Web site.
Powers brought many new ideas to local law enforcement during his time as chief. His obituary reads, "His innovations in law enforcement were recognized when he was the first chief of police to be inducted into the North Carolina Law Enforcement Hall of Honor. He was known statewide as being an innovator in the field of education as well as for encouraging interdepartmental cooperation among various law enforcement groups. He had the first department in Western North Carolina to utilize canines in crime solving. Chief, as he was affectionately known, was instrumental in training the North Carolina National Guard in riot control and crime-solving techniques. He taught numerous law enforcement classes across the state."
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11am Wednesday at First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville. The family will receive friends after the service in the church's Roy Johnson Room.
Go to www.thosshepherd.com to read the full obituary.
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