News Flash

Mayor Joe Gibbons read and presented retirement resolutions to Capt. Smith and Lt. Ingram during the regular Council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Family members and dozens of fellow officers attended the meeting to show their thanks and support.

"I would like to say we're canceling all retirements, but I lost that vote. We can't do that," Mayor Gibbons said. "Tonight we're going to recognize two of our fine officers of the Lenoir Police Department ... and say thank you to them for what they have meant to our community."

Mayor Gibbons read and presented Lt. Ingram's retirement resolution first.

Lt. Ingram started working for Lenoir in 1996 as a firefighter. He received fire-related certifications including Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Instructor, and North Carolina Fire Inspector. Eight years later, he took his Oath of Office under Police Chief Joey Reynolds as a part-time officer and transferred to a full-time officer in 2006. Since then, Lt. Ingram served in many capacities at the department and moved up the ranks to achieve the position of lieutenant, the third highest rank in the department. Lt. Ingram will officially retire Feb. 1, 2023, with more than 28 years of creditable service in the North Carolina Local Government Retirement System.  The full resolution and video of the presentation are below. 

"Brett, we hate to see you go my friend," Mayor Gibbons said. "You have done a lot of great and amazing things for our City. We appreciate your service, and we look forward to seeing you back to help out in a lot of different ways."

The mayor then read and presented Capt. Smith's resolution.

Capt. Smith started working for the City Police Department in 1994 as Patrolman under the direction of Police Chief Jack Warlick. Capt. Smith left in 1996 and worked two years as a Deputy for the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office. He returned to the Police Department in 1998. Capt. Smith served in many capacities at the department moving up the ranks to achieve the position of captain, the second highest rank in the department. Capt. Smith will officially retire Feb. 1, 2023, with 30 years of creditable service in the North Carolina Local Government Retirement System. The full resolution and video of the presentation are below. 

"Capt. Smith, congratulations, sir. Again, I can't talk you out of it? Last chance?" Mayor Gibbons said.  "Captain, thank you."

Police Chief Brent Phelps thanked the Council for recognizing the officers. Chief Phelps said that it is hard to put into words all the accomplishments and positive impact Capt. Smith and Lt. Ingram have had on the department, the city, and the community. He said their dedication and self-sacrifice is what sets them apart.

"It's becoming harder and harder to find men and women who are willing to serve other people before serving themselves," Chief Phelps said. "[These men completed] three decades of service to this city, this community, to our department, there's really no good way for me to put that into words. What I'll say on behalf of the Chiefs before me and myself is thank you for coming in every day. There are many days when you don't want to come in ... and they came in for three decades. That dedication is something that is special to my heart, because it's rare to find. Thank you, guys, thank you for what you have done."

Mayor Joe Gibbons read and presented retirement resolutions to Capt. Smith and Lt. Ingram during the regular City Council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Pictured from left: City Manager Scott Hildebran, Mayor Pro Tem Crissy Thomas, Councilman Todd Perdue, Capt. Brain Smith, Councilman Ralph Prestwood, Lt. Brett Ingram, Councilman Kent Greer, Mayor Joe Gibbons, Chief Brent Phelps, and Councilmen Jonathan Beal and David Stevens.

Capt. Brian Smith In Recognition of Dedicated Service

WHEREAS, from November 2, 1994 to May 3, 1996, Brian Dane Smith served as Patrolman for the City of Lenoir under the direction of Police Chief Jack Warlick;

THAT, upon leaving the City of Lenoir, he served as a Deputy for the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office until he was re-hired on the 6th of July 1998;

THAT, due to Brian’s dedication and diligence in performing in an exemplary manner, he advanced through the ranks to achieve his current position as Patrol Commander, admirably serving with great distinction, the citizens of Lenoir during the tenures of four Police Chiefs as a supervisor in all three divisions of the Lenoir Police Department: Patrol, Investigations, and Support Services;

THAT, society and law enforcement as a whole has undergone many changes and challenges over the last 25 years, and Brian has stayed abreast through those changing trends to remain an effective leader and role model within the department and community at large;

THAT, he was promoted to Corporal and Sergeant in 2008, Lieutenant in 2014, and Captain in 2018, and has served in a number of capacities throughout his law enforcement career to include Training and Logistics Lieutenant, Supervisor over VICE/Narcotics, K-9 Handler for Gage, Casper and Andy, K-9 Instructor, Special Response Team Sniper and Leader, Certified Instructor, Detective, Advisor and Mentor. He has been involved in a number of community programs, boards, and committees;

THAT, Brian completed Police Law Institute in 2003, received his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate in 2004, completed FBI Regional Command College in 2012, was recognized by the Lenoir Optimist Club in 2013 with a “Respect for Law” award, and received a City of Lenoir Golden Ticket Outstanding Customer Service award in 2019;

THAT, he has played an active and vital role in the community with a number of accolades in his personnel file showing a willingness to go above and beyond what is expected for the department, city, and community; he has formed close relations throughout his career due to a genuine concern and professional demeanor in performing his duties; 

THAT, Brian has humbly served the citizens of the City of Lenoir and Caldwell County and will be retiring on February 1, 2023 with 30 years of creditable service in the North Carolina Local Government Retirement System.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by authority of the Mayor and City Manager, and on behalf of the City Council, that Captain Brian Smith has been an exemplary employee and is himself the epitome of the professional Law Enforcement Officer. His contributions to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Lenoir and officers of the Lenoir Police Department will be held in high esteem and in remembrance by this governing body, as well as all persons impacted by his accomplishments, generosity, and compassion for those in need;

THIS, the 17th day of January, 2023.

Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor 
Scott E. Hildebran, City Manager

Lt. Brett Ingram In Recognition of Dedicated Service

WHEREAS, on the 3rd day of November, 1996, Brett Harrison Ingram was appointed Firefighter for the City of Lenoir under the direction of Fire Chief Bobby Coffey; he later received certifications to include Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Instructor, and North Carolina Fire Inspector;

THAT, on the 7th day of March, 2005, Brett took his Oath of Office under Police Chief Joey Reynolds as a part time, sworn Law Enforcement Officer for the Lenoir Police Department and transferred into a full-time position in February 2006;

THAT, as of the date of this Resolution, he has served the City of Lenoir with great distinction, under the direction of three Police Chiefs and three Fire Chiefs and has formed close relations with citizens and community leaders through his genuine concern and professional dedication to duty;

THAT, society and law enforcement as a whole has undergone many changes and challenges over the last 25 years, and Brett has stayed abreast through those changing trends to remain an effective leader and role model within the department and community at large;

THAT, he has served in a number of capacities during his law enforcement career to include his most recent position as Patrol Lieutenant. Brett was a K-9 Handler of Casper for six years, Honor Guard Member since 2010, a long standing Special Response Team Leader and Medic, Department Armorer, Certified Law Enforcement Instructor, Advisor and Mentor for staff. He has been instrumental in developing several community outreach programs, as well as department courses to include Citizens Academies, Canine, Firearms, CPR Training, In-Service, and Police Fitness;

THAT, due to Brett’s dedication and diligence to perform admirably, he was promoted to Corporal in 2012, Sergeant in 2013, and Lieutenant in 2018; THAT, he received his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate in May 2012, was awarded the Citation for Valor from the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge in 2016, and completed the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Leadership Program in 2020; THAT, he has played an active and vital role in the community and has a number of accolades in his personnel file showing his willingness to go above and beyond what is expected for the department, city, and community;

THAT, Brett has humbly served the citizens of the City of Lenoir and Caldwell County and will be retiring on February 1, 2023 with over 28 years of creditable service in the North Carolina Local Government Retirement System.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by authority of the Mayor and City Manager, and on behalf of the City Council, that Lieutenant Brett Ingram has been an exemplary employee and is himself the epitome of the professional Law Enforcement Officer. His contributions to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Lenoir and officers of the Lenoir Police Department will be held in high esteem and in remembrance by this governing body, as well as all persons impacted by his accomplishments, generosity, and compassion for those in need;

THIS, the 17th day of January, 2023.

Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor
Scott E. Hildebran, City Manager