Councilors welcome new face, recognizes promotion

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Town Council recently welcomed a new officer and congratulated one who was recently promoted to sergeant.

Council met last Thursday and welcomed new officer Mike Ford and congratulated officer Cody Gordon for his recent climb up the ranks.

Columbus Police Chief Scott Hamby said when he recently took over as chief, one of the first things he wanted to do was to give Gordon a promotion.

“He’s mature and highly respected,” Hamby said.

Gordon has been with the Columbus Police Department since May 2012, where he has spent his entire law enforcement career.

Ford was recently hired by the Columbus Police Department. He previously worked for the Tryon Police Department.

Chief Hamby recently took over as chief, following the resignation of former chief Chris Beddingfield.

Beddingfield worked for the Columbus Police Department since 2007 and served as chief since 2011. Beddingfield took the chief of police position for the Town of Biltmore Forest. He had spent almost 20 years in law enforcement in Polk County.

Hamby told the town council members they are lucky to have both Ford and Gordon, as both have been sought by other departments.

The town of Columbus recently decided to stop its contract with St. Luke’s Hospital, providing officers for security there. Following the resignation of one officer and the resignation of the former chief, the Columbus Police Department is still seeking one full-time officer.