Summerlin retires as police chief, Cook takes over
There’s a new police chief in Spruce Pine.
Bill Summerlin retired from the position this past week after nearly three decades with the Spruce Pine Police Department and handed the gold badge to Bakersville native Kasey Cook.
Summerlin started with the Spruce Pine Police Department in 1994 and worked his way up to detective and then captain before taking over for Coy Hollifield as chief in 2015.
Cook followed a similar path. He’s worked with the department for nearly two decades and was promoted to detective in 2014 and captain in 2019 before taking his new role as chief.
Summerlin said that in his time as chief, he didn’t make friends, but rather family.
He added that his crew at the police department has made his job easy.
“My guys and the town itself have been awesome,” he said. “The guys I’ve surrounded myself with have allowed me to do what I need to do. Those guys know how to do their jobs. That’s everything right there.”
Summerlin’s devout officers have freed him up to do something he loves and thinks is key for a police chief— spending time in the community.
Summerlin could often be seen going door to door in Spruce Pine, visiting businesses, shaking hands and having conversations.
Summerlin also volunteered for odd jobs to help save the town money. He hung Christmas lights on local businesses. He dressed up as a classy Santa Claus. And that’s just to name a few.
On one occasion, Summerlin recalled, he and Cook spent an afternoon pressure washing a local elderly person’s home.
“You have to be able to help people,” Cook said while laughing recalling the day spent pressure washing with his boss. “You’re around them and you want the town and the people in the town to know you care. That means something to people.”
Cook said Summerlin has left the department in a perfect place, making the transition easy. What will not be so easy, he said, is filling the void Summerlin will leave.
“They’re big shoes to fill,” Cook said. “Bill doesn’t like that term, but it’s true. I’m never going to be able to fill his shoes, but he’s taught me the things I’m going to use every day.”
Cook benefits from having worked under both Summerlin and Hollifield, who he said are polar opposites in many ways, but were both great leaders.
“I can take a lot of stuff from both,” Cook said. “Not many people can say they’ve worked for 20 years under two great people.”
Cook said his goal was always to become a detective, but he never dreamed he’d make it all the way to the top.
“You always want to get to the top eventually,” he said smiling.
Cook took the gold badge on Thursday, May 11, marking the official beginning of his duties as chief. Summerlin’s last day with the department was Friday, May 12.
Summerlin joked that after that final day, he aimed to become Cook’s best employee.
“I have no regrets,” Summerlin said glancing over at Cook. “It’s been the best job in the world.”