Andrews – Town hall was closed Monday as a funeral was held for Police Chief Rocky Burrell, who died Thursday in an Atlanta hospital after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Mayor James Reid produced a live video at the Andrews Police Department, where flowers were laid out in Burrell’s honor.
“I love Rocky like a brother, I love his kids, I love his whole family,” Reid said in the video.
He urged people to stop by the police station to drop off flowers and notes.
“Show respect for the chief and how much we love him,” Reid said.
His live video seemed to be a public epicenter for an outpouring of grief, support and admiration for Burrell.
Hunter Burrell, Rocky Burrell’s son, posted several photos of his father through the years, including one with Rocky in Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office livery, seated in a patrol car with a very young Hunter sitting on his lap. Hunter followed in his father’s footsteps and eventually became an Andrews police officer.
On its Facebook page, Sage restaurant posted, “We are saddened by the loss of Police Chief Rocky Burrell. We are grateful for his support, the time we shared with him, and for his service. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Chief Burrell’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
“Let us remember the positive impact Chief Burrell had on our community, and send our love and support to those who mourn his loss. Rest in peace, Chief. It was a pleasure to serve you.”
Burrell, 44, of Marble, was a native of Panther Creek and 1997 graduate of Swain County High School. He began his law enforcement career following high school, working with the Swain County Sheriff’s Office, Andrews Police Department, Bryson City Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office before returning to Andrews as chief in summer 2021.
During his career, he served as a patrol sergeant, investigator and agent with the Multiple Agency Narcotics Unit. He also worked as a Department of Defense contractor in Iraq for three years.
In addition, Burrell co-founded Sabre Group, a private investigative company, after he left the sheriff’s office and before he became chief in Andrews. He also owned and operated R&R Frontsight Gun in Swain County for several years.
In 2021, Burrell took over an Andrews police force in disarray. He literally had to rebuild the department from scratch.
The year 2023 was tough for Burrell, who battled cancer, personnel issues in the police department and the cloud of an N.C. State Bureau of Investigation probe that led to nine felony indictments for allegedly obtaining property through false pretenses.
The indictments were sealed and waiting to be served to Burrell. However, Burrell’s condition worsened considerably, and the indictments were never served.
They were still sealed as of Monday. The public may never know exactly what the indictments allege.
Despite his illness, Burrell continued to perform the duties of Andrews police chief whenever he was able. He also attended First Freewill Baptist Church.
“He was on his way to turn himself on these charges last Thursday when he fell ill and ended up in the ICU,” Rich Cassady, a Franklin-based criminal law attorney, said in a letter to the editor of the Cherokee Scout.
“When, unless there is intervention from above, Rocky passes from this Earth, as these indictments were never served, it will be exceedingly difficult for Rocky’s family to attempt to clear his good name,” Cassady wrote. “From what little we have been able to learn, the allegations are for not teaching in-service training for which he was hired to teach. However, there are, to my knowledge, at least three individuals who attended those classes and are prepared to swear as such. …
“Instead of spending his final days or months playing with his grandson and enjoying his family, his last conscious memories were of being charged with crimes he did not commit and seeing his name drug through the mud in the community he served with distinction for so long. None of us, including Rocky Burrell, should have to face such indignity in our final moments,” Cassady wrote.
His family requests memorials in Rocky Clinton Burrell’s honor be made to: Rocky Burrell Scholarship Fund, c/o United Community Bank, 116 Peachtree St., Murphy, NC 28906.
Details: Rich Cassady’s guest column, page 5A. Rocky Burrell’s obituary, page 6A.