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Incident
Lieutenant Glenn Hicks was shot and killed as he and his partner responded to a 911 call about a disturbance created by a mentally disturbed subject at 3:10 pm.
The subject heard the call on his police scanner and setup an ambush from inside his house. As the two deputies got out of their patrol car, the subject ambushed them with a shotgun. The man first shot Lieutenant Hicks' partner in the face with bird shot. As Lieutenant Hicks came to his partner's aid he was shot in the face with .00 buckshot and killed instantly. His partner attempted to make it back to the patrol car, but was shot again in the back with .00 buckshot. He was able to crawl to the patrol car and called for assistance.
The subject fled to a nearby cave and remained there for several hours during negotiations. Nearly 400 local, state, and federal officers from across western North Carolina rushed to the scene. When negotiations failed, two flash-bang devices were detonated, which caused the suspect to surrender. Several weeks prior, all of the subject's guns were confiscated due to a complaint from his family about his mental stability. The guns were returned several days before the shooting by court order because the family refused to testify against him.
On July 22nd, 2005, the subject was found incompetent to stand trial. In November 2013 he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state hospital.
Lieutenant Hicks had been a reserve deputy for the Avery County Sheriff's Office for five years and had served as a full-time deputy for three years. Lieutenant Hicks' badge number was retired in his honor.
He is survived by his wife, son, sister, two brothers, and three grandchildren. Lieutenant Hicks's son and a brother also serve with the Avery County Sheriff's Office. His grandson later joined the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, sister, two brothers, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Hicks gave the Avery County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Hicks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Avery County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Glenn is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Glenn is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Glenn is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 1 officer at Avery County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2003, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Glenn was 53. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Avery County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 49; the middle age was 48. Glenn had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Glenn was 53. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Glenn had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Glenn was 53. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Glenn had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Glenn was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Glenn had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Avery County Sheriff's Office; April holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 40%.
February holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Avery County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Avery County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Glenn among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Avery County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
