Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Officer Francisco Paul Flattes From now to sunset Tuesday July 1, 2025

Governor Josh Stein ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff immediately until sunset today, July 1, in honor of Cherokee Sheriff Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes who was killed in the line of duty Monday. Officer Flattes was a four-year veteran of the Cherokee County Sheriff Department.

Statement from Governor Stein “I was deeply saddened to learn of Francisco Paul Flattes’ tragic murder. Our law enforcement officers go above and beyond the call of duty to keep us safe, and tragically yesterday Detention Officer Flattes paid the ultimate price. I am grateful to western North Carolina law enforcement and the Highway Patrol for their quick response. Anna and I are praying for his family and community as they grieve his loss. May his memory be a blessing.”

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Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

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Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran Arrested, Suspended

 Here is an update from Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland:

As many citizens of Swain County have heard through various media outlets, on June 27, 2025,an investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation resulted in criminal charges being levied against Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran Subsequently,  Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers ordered the immediate suspension of Sheriff Curtis Cochran from the Office of Sheriff of Swain County. 

Under North Carolina law, the Chief Deputy is to perform all the duties of the sheriff during the suspension period until the statutory process of filling the vacancy is completed.  

Please feel secure that there will be no disruption in the services provided by the Swain County Sheriff's Office as a result of this situation.  The men and women of the Swain County Sheriff's Office remain committed to serving and protecting the citizens and residents of Swain County. 

Since this involves a criminal investigation the Sheriff’s Office is not in a position to make any further statements. 

Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland

Swain County Sheriff's Office 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02RH5wWhL7yjfVRosBttQcAk5z5BqBUgVsVBGkVvSokYgCoBMnA6qfahksJ2v8Fp1al&id=100064293115662 

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PRESS RELEASE (06-27-2025)
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch 43rd Prosecutorial District

Today, agents with the State Bureau of Investigation and police officers with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians arrested Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran, 72.

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said that Cochran has been charged with four state crimes. These are: felonious restraint; assault on a female; sexual battery; and solicitation to commit prostitution.

These alleged acts, if proved, constitute corruption while in office in violation of N.C. General Statute 128-6(3). In addition, Cochran has been charged with violations of the Cherokee Code; specifically, two counts of oppression in office and one count of abusive sexual contact.

In a petition filed today in state Superior Court, District Attorney Welch requested that a Superior Court judge immediately suspend Cochran from his position as sheriff.

She also requested that the judge order a hearing to both permanently remove Cochran as sheriff and to permanently disqualify him from the office of Sheriff of Swain County.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers suspended Cochran and set a hearing in Graham County for July 7 to review the suspension. She set a final determination in Swain County for July 21 on the petition to remove Cochran.

Note: Warrants and the petition for removal are public records. As such, they are available from the Swain County Clerk of Court and on the state’s ecourt portal.

-30-

WLOS-TV has more on their website.

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Flags Lowered for Greensboro Police Sergeant Philip Dale Nix Until Wednesday at Sunset

Governor Roy Cooper ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to half-staff immediately until sunset Wednesday, Jan. 3 in honor of Greensboro Police Sergeant Philip Dale Nix who died in the line of duty on Saturday, Dec. 30.

Sergeant Nix was off duty when he witnessed a crime and confronted the suspects at the Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road west of Greensboro. Another off-duty Greensboro Police officer and Guilford County paramedic immediately rendered aid, but Nix later died at a local medical facility.

Sergeant Nix had served with the Greensboro Police Department since 2001.

Statement from Governor Cooper
“Our prayers are with the Greensboro police and family and friends. I’m grateful to those working to bring justice in this tragic act of violence.”

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Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

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Funeral Procession for Larry "Moose" Moses

Photo was taken May 14, 2010, by Bobby Coggins

Obituary

Mr. Larry William "Moose" Moses, 61, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Moose was born December 20, 1961, in Macon County to the late Billy and Jean Bryson Moses.

He worked 31 years in law enforcement and with the Franklin Police Department from 1982-2011. He loved to fish, hunt, work on old jeeps, collect guns, and dig for ginseng. He was a Mason member of the Junaluskee Lodge #145 A.F. and A.M. and was vice president of the Macon and Jackson FOP Lodge #81, and a member of Ellijay Baptist Church. Read the rest at Bryant Grant Funeral Home. [LINK]



Here is a video of the start of the funeral procession as it left the funeral home.



Acknowledgments

   Macon Media would like to express appreciation to the Reader who provided transportation to and from the funeral home and the reader who provided audio of the Last Call.

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Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half Staff in Honor of Warren County Deputy Jose Deleon

Governor Roy Cooper ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to half-staff immediately until sunset Friday, December 9 in honor of Warren County Sheriff Deputy Jose Angel Deleon, who passed away this past weekend in an on-duty vehicular accident. Deputy Deleon had served with the Warren County Sheriff's Office since June 15, 2021.

Statement from Governor Roy Cooper

"Our hearts are with the loved ones of Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy Jose Deleon who was killed in a car crash while in the line of duty over the weekend. We’re grateful for his life and for officers who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe."

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Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

Background

North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.

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Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Wake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ned Byrd

PRESS RELEASE (08-12-2022)

NC GOVERNOR

Governor Roy Cooper ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to half-staff in honor of Wake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ned Byrd who was killed in the line of duty overnight. Details are still emerging as the investigation continues into the incident along Battle Bridge Road in southern Wake County.

Statement from Governor Roy Cooper “We’re deeply grateful for Wake County Deputy Ned Byrd’s service to our state. Our prayers and condolences are with his friends and family,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

Join us

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

Background

North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.

Published at 5:00pm on Friday, August 12, 2022

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U.S. and NC Flags to Remain at Half-Staff in Honor of Wayne County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Matthew Fishman Beginning August 5, 2022 until sunset August 9, 2022

 

 PRESS RELEASE (08-05-2022)

NC GOVERNOR

Governor Roy Cooper is extending the half-staff order for all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities in honor of Wayne County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Matthew Fishman. Beginning today through sunset August 9, all flags are to remain at half-staff. Services for Sgt. Fishman will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 9 at the University of Mount Olive's Kornegay Arena in Dudley, North Carolina.

In tribute to his life and service, flags have been lowered in his honor since Tuesday, August 2.

 

Join us  

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

Background

North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.

[editor--This is a follow-up to this post].

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Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Wayne County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Matthew Fishman

 PRESS RELEASE (08-02-2022)

NC GOVERNOR

Governor Roy Cooper ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to half-staff in honor of Wayne County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Matthew Fishman who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty on Monday. Fishman along with officers Cpl. Andrew Cox and Deputy Alexander Ramon Torres were injured yesterday while serving an involuntary commitment order in Dudley, North Carolina.

 

 

 

Statement from Governor Roy Cooper
"Today we adjourned the Council of State meeting in honor of Wayne Co. Sheriff Sgt. Matthew Fishman who was tragically shot and killed yesterday in the line of duty. Last night and this morning I talked with Sheriff Pierce and I extend my deepest sympathy and gratitude to the Fishman family for Matthew’s life, courage and service to the people of his county and state."

 

 

Join us  

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

Background

North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.

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Booze It and Lose It Campaign In Full Force Over Labor Day Weekend

 

RALEIGH – As motorists hit the road this busy Labor Day weekend, law enforcement officers from Murphy to Manteo will be stepping up enforcement through patrols and checkpoints to keep impaired drivers off the roads.  

The statewide “Booze It & Lose It” Labor Day campaign, sponsored by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program, runs through Sept. 12 and involves all law enforcement agencies, including local police, sheriff’s offices and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Last year, participating agencies cited nearly 1,400 DWI offenders in North Carolina. Motorists caught driving while impaired face the possibility of jail time, lost driving privileges and hefty fines.

NCDOT encourages people to celebrate responsibly and safely. Never drink and drive. If you drink, find another ride using a rideshare app, such as Uber or Lyft, or call a taxi, ride with a friend, or take the bus. 

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Governor Orders Flags Lowered Until Sunset on May 4th

Governor Roy Cooper has ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered immediately to half-staff in honor of Fort Bragg Spc. Abigail Jenks, who passed away on April 19th during a training exercise. She was part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Spc. Jenks day of interment is May 2. US flags are to remain lowered until sunset on Sunday.

North Carolina flags are to remain at half-staff until further notice to honor two fallen officers of the Watauga County Sheriff's Office. Sgt. Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox died in the line of duty in Boone, North Carolina on Wednesday. Sgt. Ward began his law enforcement career in 2013 and K-9 Deputy Fox served at the Watauga County Sheriff's Office for two years. A notification will be sent once the interment date has been announced for both officers.

Statement from Governor Roy Cooper on Watauga County's fallen officers:

“These horrific shootings that claimed lives and loved ones show the ever-present danger law enforcement can encounter in the line of duty. I have talked with Sheriff Len Hagaman to offer condolences and additional assistance.”

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

Please note, all North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the US Flag Code.




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Published at 8:42am on Friday, April 30, 2021

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Lowering of NC Flags to Half-Staff Until Sunset December 20, 2020 in Honor of Concord Officer Jason Shuping

 

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning Friday, December 18, 2020 until sunset on Sunday, December 20, 2020 in honor of Concord Police Officer Jason Shuping who died in the line of duty on Wednesday. Officer Shuping served on the Concord Police Department, located in Cabarrus County North Carolina, for less than two years.

 

Statement from Governor Roy Cooper:

 

"Sadly, Concord Officer Jason Shuping was killed in the line of duty last night. I spoke with his parents and Concord Police Chief Gacek this morning offering support, condolences and prayers. This tragedy along with Officer Herndon’s death last week reminds us that law enforcement officers have extremely difficult, sometimes dangerous jobs, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their courage and service."

 

As a show of respect, individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

 

Please note, all North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the US Flag Code. 

 

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Lowering of NC Flags to Half-Staff Until Sunset December 14, 2020 in Honor of Mount Holly Officer Tyler Avery Herndon

 

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning Saturday, December 12, 2020 until sunset on Monday, December 14, 2020 in honor of Mount Holly Officer Tyler Avery Herndon who passed away in the line of duty early Friday morning. Officer Herndon served on the Mount Holly Police Department, located in Gaston County North Carolina, for less than two years.

 

Statement from Governor Roy Cooper:

 

"Our prayers are with family and friends of Mount Holly Police Officer Tyler Herndon who was killed in the line of duty this morning protecting the community he loved. I spoke with Tyler’s parents and Chief Roper to offer our support and deepest condolences."

 

As a show of respect, individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

 

Please note, all North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the US Flag Code. 

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Lowering Of NC Flags To Half-Staff In Honor of Henderson County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Hendrix

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning today, Friday, September 18, 2020 until sunset on Saturday, September 19, 2020 in honor of Henderson County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Hendrix who died in the line of duty on September 10, 2020

An eight year veteran of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Hendrix was working at the rank of detective serving as a uniformed investigator. Also a veteran of the US Marines, Deputy Hendrix served on the Henderson County Sheriff's Office SWAT team and was a field training officer.

Services for Deputy Hendrix will be held today at the Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Statement from Governor Roy Cooper:

"Kristin and I are praying for Ryan Hendrix, who died while trying to keep his community safe. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Dept. and the entire community."

As a show of respect, individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

Please note, all North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the US Flag Code.


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Published at 8:22am on Friday, September 18, 2020

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County Reaches Settlement with Former Deputy

The Macon County Commissioners reached an agreement (vote 4-1) with former deputy Craig Stahl on a Fair Labor Standards Act and North Carolina Wage and Hour Act claim against Macon County and the Macon County Sheriff. The agreement reached is to pay Stahl $41,962.68 in wages, out of which Stahl is expected to pay his share of taxes and attorney fees. the net payout for the county is $50,733.00 because they will pay their share of taxes, retirement, 401K, etc. 

A full video of the segment is posted below.







CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia



Posted at 3:50 am on March 13, 2018

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Policy Notice Regarding Arrest Reports

Policy Notice

Several readers have sent Macon Media messages and mugshots over the past few days, beginning on Saturday morning, regarding the arrest of a local law enforcement officer while off duty.

I appreciate the heads up, but have declined to post about the incident unless it makes it to Superior Court or if the Sheriff decides to fire the person before the case is adjudicated. This is a personnel matter, not a public matter until a trial or sentencing occurs.

Macon Media currently follows a policy of not posting about arrests of individuals unless it is for a notorious or violent crime. The only exceptions are if the arrest of public safety personnel occur while they are on duty or if the offense occurred while on duty. Any known arrest of an elected official or local county or city department head will be reported upon because these people are never off duty.

This is why there is no "Arrest Report" carried by this news outlet that names names. These people deserve their day in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion. 

This is an evolving policy and it is my belief that it is not in the public interest for media outlets to be reporting on such things. It is a thing best reserved for whispers, alleyways and tabloids like Fuzz Busted.

Bobby Coggins
Publisher and Editor
MaconMedia.com
June 20, 2016

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2016 Law Enforcement Memorial Day Observed in Franklin

Bobby Coggins
Publisher and Editor
MaconMedia.com
May 16, 2016

FRANKLIN - This past Friday, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #81 of Macon and Jackson Counties hosted a ceremony observing Law Enforcement Memorial Day to remember those law enforcement officers who fell in the line of duty in 2015.

Mike Anderson, Deputy Director North Carolina Center for Safer Schools, was the guest speaker.

The officers remembered by the ceremony were:

Fallen North Carolina Police Officers 2015


February 19, 2015
K-9 Mako
Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office

May 21, 2015
Inspector Robert J. Bowling
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles & Theft Bureau



FOP Lodge #81 also remembers the following officers from Western North Carolina


October 3, 2001
Master Trooper Calvin E. Taylor
North Carolina Highway Patrol


May 31, 2003
Senior Trooper Anthony G. Cogdill
North Carolina Highway Patrol


June 17, 2008
Trooper David Shawn Blanton Jr.
North Carolina Highway Patrol


June 28, 2008
Deputy Sheriff Robert “Bob” Killian
Macon County Sheriff’s Office


October 29, 2013
Senior Police Officer Robert A. Bingaman
Asheville Police Department



Video and a photo essay of the ceremony follow.
Click on the images to see them at a larger size, then you may navigate through them using the right and left arrow on your keyboard.

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Law Enforcement Memorial Service Scheduled for Noon on Friday, May 13, 2016

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #81 of Macon and Jackson Counties will be hosting a Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Gazebo on Itola Street at noon on Friday, May 13, 2016.

Macon Media has included copies of the program [click on the images to embiggen them to a readable size] so you can see what has been planned for this event. Please come out and show your support for those who put their lives on the line to serve and protect us.

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Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine

Readers are reporting an increased law enforcement presence today, including large numbers of NC Highway Patrol Troopers.

This is due to an annual initiative called 'Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine" that has the goal of saving lives and reducing speeds on state roads.


Here is more information from the Governor's Highway Safety Program:

OBEY THE SIGN OR PAY THE FINE

Studies continue to show that speed is a major cause of injury and fatality on North Carolina roadways. In 2015 alone, there were 322 speed-related fatalities and 10,658 speed-related injuries. Speeding was a contributing factor in 23 percent of all fatal crashes in North Carolina.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration considers a crash to be speeding-related if the driver was charged with a speeding-related offense, or if the responding officer indicates the driver was either driving too fast for the road conditions at the time or was exceeding the posted speed limit.

A crash on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph or greater is more than twice as likely to result in a fatality than a crash on a road with a speed limit of 45 or 50 mph and nearly five times as likely as a crash on a road with a speed limit of 40 mph or below.

Speeding can have dangerous consequences, including:

•Reducing a driver's ability to negotiate curves or maneuver around obstacles in the roadway
•Extending the distance traveled before a vehicle can stop
•Increasing the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a hazard
•Increasing the risk of crashes and injuries because other vehicles and pedestrians might not be able to judge distance correctly

In 2015, 88 percent of all speeding-related traffic fatalities in North Carolina occurred on non-interstate roadways – where the posted speed limits were 55 miles per hour or lower. Only 8 percent of the state's speeding-related fatalities occurred on interstate highways that year.

In 2015, speeding was involved in 27 percent of the fatal crashes that occurred in construction or maintenance zones.

Many Americans believe they won't be ticketed if they drive within a "buffer zone" above the posted speed limit. But now, law enforcement will be targeting and ticketing speeding drivers. When it comes to speeding: Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine – the posted speed limit IS THE LAW.

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Area law enforcement seeking subject wanted for several felonies, including kidnapping

**update** 12/05/2014: The manhunt is over and Jester has been taken into custody by the Rabun County Sheriff's Office at 1:45 pm on December 5th in a field near Yorkhouse Road in Mountain City. The manhunt had started around 10:30 pm the previous evening.

Law Enforcement in North Georgia and western North Carolina are on the lookout for a Phillip Norman Jester for kidnapping, grand theft auto, eluding arrest and several other felonies. The audio included with this post is of a BOLO (Be On the LookOut for) issued by the Macon County EOC just after 4 am this morning.

Jester has eluded capture in Rabun County and was last seen in the Rabun Gap area. They believe he may have stolen a vehicle.

Details on the individual are as follows:

Phillip Norman Jester
Age: 24
Brown Hair and Brown Eyes
Height: 5 foot 10 inches
Weight: 190 pounds
Considered armed and dangerous

Skylar Nichole Foster
Age: 14
Hair is black, shaved on the right side
Height: 5 foot 2 inches
Weight: 110 pounds
May be held against her will


Authorities believe that 24 year-old Jester is holding 14-year-old Skylar Nicole Foster against her will. He is a wanted felon out of Delaware, as well as Georgia and other states. Skylar met Jester on Facebook before he came to Georgia and ran away with him and it is believe she is now being held against her will.

Skylar is believed to be in danger. She is 5'2" and weighs 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing blue jeans with leggings and an oversized blue zip-up hoodie and black shoes. Her hair is dyed black and is shaved on the right side.

If you see Jester or the couple, please do not attempt to apprehend them on your own call 911 and report their location and direction of travel.

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Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #81 Observes Law Enforcement Memorial Day in Franklin

Law Enforcement Agencies from around Macon County gathered Friday to mark the observance of Law Enforcement Memorial Day.

The holiday was created on October 1, 1961, when Congress asked the president to designate May 15 to honor peace officers. John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962. The Proclamation Signed by President John F. Kennedy:

To pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation for all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962 (75 Stat.676), has authorized and requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day," and the week in which it falls as "Police Week" and by Public Law 103-322 (36 U.S.C. 175) has requested that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers' Memorial Day.


At this year's ceremony, Derek Roland, the Macon County Manager, spoke. His full speech is included in the above video.

During the ceremony, a roll call of fallen officers was read, and a bell was tolled after each name. The roll call included date of end of service, name and the department the officer served with. The roll call of fallen officers included:



October 29, 2013
Senior Police officer Robert A. Bingaman
Asheville Police Department

FOP Lodge #81 also remembered the following officers from Western North Carolina who fell in previous years:

October 3, 2001
Master Trooper Calvin E. Taylor
North Carolina Highway Patrol

May 31, 2003
Senior Trooper Anthony G. Cogdill
North Carolina Highway Patrol

June 17, 2008
Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr.
North Carolina Highway Patrol

The ceremony occurs each year, weather permitting, on May 15th and the public is always welcome at this ceremony.

Here is a brief slide show of photos I took during the ceremony:




You may have to manually click through the photos.

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