Murphy's Brayden Snow was honored on April 30 as Police Officer of the Year.
MURPHY
MADD honors local officer
Officer Brayden Snow of the Murphy Police Department was honored on April 30 for his outstanding work in keeping North Carolina roads safe. During an awards ceremony, hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Snow received the Police Officer of the Year award.
The ceremony highlighted that Snow is relatively new to the force, with less than two years on the job. Despite his short time in uniform, he has already made a massive impact.
In 2025, he successfully removed 32 impaired drivers from the roadway. In a small town like Murphy, where officers often work the night shift alone, his proactive approach has been credited with preventing potential tragedies.
The speech given in his honor noted that Snow has quickly become a regional expert in field sobriety and chemical analysis. His skills are so well-regarded that veteran officers from surrounding agencies now look to him for help with complex cases. Beyond making arrests, Snow was praised for building community trust by participating in events like "National Night Out" and reading to local elementary students for "Read Across America."
The awards banquet took place at The Forum at 42 in Selma. The event was organized by MADD to show gratitude to the men and women who work to end impaired driving.
Law enforcement officers from across the entire state were in attendance, including representatives from the N.C. Highway Patrol, various sheriff's offices and N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission. The evening served as a reminder of the progress made in road safety.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Detectives catch Colorado fugitive
On April 30, detectives from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division successfully captured Garret Mosher, 34, of Palisade, Colo., a fugitive from Colorado wanted on four nationwide extraditable warrants.
While investigating an unrelated matter in Culberson, detectives observed a suspicious vehicle traveling on a shared residential driveway. Upon spotting law enforcement, the vehicle fled down a dirt road and into a wooded area before coming to a stop. Detectives located Mosher as he attempted to leave the area on foot and took him into custody.
Mosher initially provided a false name to investigators. After no record was found under that name, he admitted his true identity. A records check confirmed he was wanted by the State of Colorado for parole violations.
While under arrest and in handcuffs, Mosher attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. He was subsequently charged with resisting a public officer in addition to the Colorado warrants.
Cherokee County detectives are coordinating with the Colorado Department of Corrections Extraditions Unit to arrange for Mosher’s safe return.
Sheriff Chris Wood said, “I am proud of the professionalism and quick decision-making displayed by our detectives today. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to removing dangerous fugitives from our community and working seamlessly with law enforcement partners nationwide to ensure they face justice.”
MURPHY
Man facing assault charges
Christopher Paul Kelley, 42, of 706 Martins Creek Road, was being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center in lieu of $45,000 secured bond.
On April 29, he allegedly assaulted a woman and was charged with felony assault by strangulation and felony assault causing serious bodily injury. Law enforcement alleges that Kelly placed the woman in a chokehold and dragged her into a house.
The assault caused bruising around her neck, jaw line and clavicle, swelling in her face and head, and pain in her right knee, according to court documents. The victim told deputies that she could not breathe and lost vision while it was happening.
During his arrest on the charges as well as warrants for traffic violations, Kelley allegedly assaulted a sheriff’s sergeant by resisting and failing to comply while law enforcement tried to put him into a marked patrol vehicle, He also allegedly tried to head-butt the sheriff’s sergeant and kicked a Murphy Police Department sergeant in addition to trying to run away and damaging a police body camera.
MURPHY
Man allegedly terrorizes business
Gabriel Aslam Lowman, 45, of Culberson, faces five charges including a felony and four misdemeanors, following an April 26 incident in downtown Murphy.
He is being held without bond at the Cherokee County Detention Center.
Lowman was arrested by Murphy police and booked on charges of felony breaking and entering to terrorize and injure along with four misdemeanors – second degree trespass, assault with a deadly weapon, injury to real property and disorderly conduct.
According to court records, Lowman entered a business on Hiwassee Street in Murphy and was told to leave. He later returned “with the intent to terrorize” the owner of the business. He allegedly assaulted her with a lawnmower blade fabricated into a machete after kicking in her door and brandishing the weapon, according to court records. He allegedly damaged a wooden door in the process.
Compiled by Editor Randy Foster.