Chief Adams is a native of Hickory and began his career with the Hickory Police Department in July of 1998. He has served as a Patrol Officer in David PACT, Investigator and Supervisor in the Vice/Narcotics Unit, Supervisor on the Special Operations Team, Commander of both Baker and David PACT, and Lieutenant in Criminal Investigations before his appointment as Commander of the Criminal Investigations Unit. He served as the Support Service Division Commander prior to being promoted to Deputy Chief of Police in May 2023. In July 2025, Adams was promoted to Chief of Police. Adams earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice at Western Carolina University after starting his career at the Hickory Police Department. Adams is also a graduate of the 276th session of the FBI National Academy. Adams holds memberships in the North Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association, the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the FBI National Academy Associates. Adams has previously served as a mentor in the Catawba County Council on Adolescents’ Lunch Buddy Program and is currently a mentor in the Catawba Valley Leadership Foundation’s Strong Student Leadership program. When away from work, Adams values spending time with his family.