Hill made his public announcement on Saturday along with current Polk County Clerk of Court Charlene Owens and Polk County commissioners Ray Gasperson and Warren Watson. The rally Saturday raised money for the Polk County Adult Day Care Center.

Hill joins Greg Osteen and Nathan Shields, both Republicans who previously announced they are running for sheriff. A native Polk County resident and 1987 graduate of Tryon High School, Hill began his career with the Polk County Sheriff&squo;s Office in August 1991 under the late Sheriff Boyce Carswell. In 1993 Hill became the handler of the first K-9 at the Polk County Sheriff&squo;s Office. He was promoted to captain under Sheriff David Satterfield, serving first as patrol captain and later as operation captain and K-9 supervisor until the election of Chris Abril in 2006. Under Abril&squo;s administration Hill served in a variety of roles including jail administrator, until his employment was terminated in August 2008.

After the resignation of Sheriff Abril, Sheriff Hill was nominated by the Polk County Democratic Party to fill the unexpired term, and in November 2007 after a unanimous vote by the Polk County Board of Commissioners he took the oath of office of sheriff.

Hill says he feels the opportunity to work under three different administrations has provided him a unique opportunity.

&dquo;I try to recall how each sheriff handled a variety of situations and use those previous experiences when dealing with today&squo;s issues. It is important to keep in mind that we as public servants work for our citizens.&dquo;

Hill is a graduate of Haywood Community College with an associate&squo;s degree in fish and wildlife management and an associate&squo;s degree in criminal justice and protective services. He was named to the Who&squo;s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. He holds an advanced law enforcement certificate from the N.C. Sheriff&squo;s Education Training Standards Commission. He has received numerous Region C awards including K-9 Officer of the Year (2001, 2005), Uniformed Officer of the Year (1999), and Citation Awards (1995, 2000). He also received first Polk County Employee of the Quarter award in 1995.

‐ article submitted