Andrews – As the state’s probe of the police evidence rooms continue, authorities created a temporary space to house items seized by new officers working in town.
The Andrews Police Department’s evidence rooms have been locked down since April, after four former officers moved two security cameras in the building. Since then, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has been the lead investigating agency in Andrews, with deputies regularly patrolling the streets and housing evidence seized in town at the administrative building on Regal Street in Murphy.
With one new officer already working part-time and six additional officers committed to working for Andrews Police Department, newly-hired administrative police chief Rocky Burrell collaborated with the town’s attorney and district prosecutors to convert an interrogation room into a temporary evidence room. The room, which contains evidence lockers, is secured by a door equipped with a dual-key system, requiring two officers to be present to access the space.
“This office respects [the town’s decision to appoint Burrell] and intends to work with the chief in the same manner as with other law enforcement leaders in the 43rd Prosecutorial District,” District Attorney Ashley Welch said via email.
Former Andrews police chief J.J. Wooten, who is employed full time at the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, has already begun working part time for the town. Burrell said Wooten has committed to work in Andrews two days per week.
Six other officers have committed to work for Andrews as well, with half of them expected to join the department in a full-time capacity. Bronson Kirby, Roy Bryan and Westley Farley are expected to work full time, while Robby Rivers, Zach Shivers and Shawn Esajas have agreed to work part time for the department. However, Bryan was suspended without pay Monday morning after being charged with domestic assault the prior evening.
Each of the officers, excluding Esajas, awaits approval from state officials who are reviewing their qualifications per Criminal Justice Standards. “With COVID, everything is kind of delayed,” Burrell said during the Sept. 14 Andrews Board of Aldermen meeting.
Meanwhile, Esajas is still enrolled in Basic Law Enforcement Training and must work with the department in a training capacity until he completes the necessary requirements to become a certified officer. Officials say he can participate in ride-alongs and other field training exercises but cannot carry a firearm and will not have arrest authority.
In exchange for part-time employment and on-the-job training, Esajas has agreed to work at the Andrews Police Department as a full-time officer for at least one year after graduating from BLET.
“A lot of places are doing this right now because every county around us is hiring,” Burrell said regarding the arrangement with Esajas. “It's really hard to get help.”