Bryan Adams named Deputy Chief of Police

After almost 25 years of service to the Hickory Police Department (HPD) and the citizens of Hickory, Captain Bryan Adams will serve as the next Deputy Chief of Police.

“I have no doubt that Bryan will transition smoothly into his new role. He is a respected leader with deep roots in this community and will be a vital part of HPD’s next chapter. He began his career as a community police officer and has continued to develop those special skills his entire career,” Chief Reed Baer said.

Adams started his career as a patrol officer and most recently served as Captain over the Support Services Division. Through his career, he has served as an investigator and Sergeant of the Vice and Narcotics Unit as well as Lieutenant in both the Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions. He has served as Captain of the Support Services Division since 2019.

Adams was born and raised in Hickory, North Carolina, and attended Hickory High School and Catawba Valley Community College. His family is rooted at HPD where his great-grandfather, E.W. Lentz, was the Chief of Police for 34 years from 1914 to 1948.

Adams graduated from Western Carolina University in 2011 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the 25th session of the North Carolina Justice Academy’s Management Development Program and a 2019 graduate of the 276th Session of the FBI National Academy. Adams also holds his North Carolina Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate.

Aside from serving as an officer, Adams has also served as a mentor in the Lunch Buddy Program and for numerous years as a board member and chair of the Family Guidance Center.

“I feel so blessed to have been able to serve as a police officer for almost 25 years in the city I was born and raised in and have always called home. Being able to serve our amazing community in this capacity as well as being able to work with the most outstanding team, that is the Hickory Police Department family, has been both an honor and blessing. I look forward to continue building strong relationships within our community and state as I serve in this new role at the Hickory Police Department,” Bryan Adams said.

Adams’ promotion to Deputy Chief of Police will become effective May 14, 2023.