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By Carey Phillips
Tammy Hooper, a detective with the Sylva Police Department for
the past seven years, has been promoted to assistant chief.
She replaces Mary Cook, who retired Dec. 31.
"I'm very excited about getting the promotion and having
the opportunity to work with the public in putting together our
community policing program," Hooper said.
A Jackson County native, Hooper worked eight years with the Jackson
County Sheriff's Office before moving to the PD. She received
her law enforcement certification from Southwestern Community
College.
She and her husband, Lt. Kim Hooper of the Sheriff's Office, have
two children.
Police Chief Jeff Jamison said he first met Hooper in 1989 when
she went to work for the Sheriff's Office, where he was employed
at the time.
"It was because of her ability and exceptional dedication
that she was promoted first to sergeant of detectives and now
to assistant chief," he said.
Cook ends a law enforcement career that began some 30 years ago
with the Sheriff's Office. She has been with the Police Department
for 20 years and served the last 10 as assistant chief.
She recalled being sworn in by former Sheriff Fred Holcombe when
she began her duties as a jailer, matron and dispatcher.
"I'll miss working with the public," Cook said. "The
officers you work with are like your family. I couldn't have asked
for better people to work for than Jeff Jamison and (former Chief)
Harold McMahan."
Cook has no specific plans for retirement although she expects
to spend time with her six grandchildren as well as working in
her garden.
"Right now I'm just doing what I want to do," she said.
Don't be surprised to still see Cook working on occasion. She
said Jamison has agreed to let her do some part-time work.
She is married to Bill Cook, an emergency dispatcher for Jackson
County.
"I'm sorry to see Mary leave, but I'm happy for her,"
Jamison said.
Shannon Ashe, a police officer for six years, has been promoted
to detective.
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