BOONE, N.C. — As Boone Police Chief Andy LeBeau walks down King Street, he says Boone is a special place, and it's the people that keep him here.

Back in his office the walls are now bare.


What You Need To Know

  • The chief of police in Boone has retired

  • Andy LeBeau had been with the Boone Police Department for decades

  • He had been the chief of police since 2020

"We have a fantastic department filled with capable men and women, and I'm really proud of them, and I'm looking forward to what they do," LeBeau said.

The empty room is a reminder that his time with the Boone Police Department came to a close at the end of 2024.

"You know this day is coming, so it's just a matter of preparing for it, and while I could stay longer, I think an important part of leadership is knowing when to pass the baton," LeBeau said.

He says during his time as chief a lot happened, from COVID-19 to two shootings on King Street, George Floyd protests and two deputies killed in the line of duty.

"That was a really hard day for all of us. That was I think the longest and hardest day of my career. We had it before with Will Mast where we showed up and everything is done, the suspect is dead, this was different. The deputies were trapped inside the house, and we sent in a rescue team and another gunfight ensued and one of my officers was shot in the helmet," LeBeau said.

It wasn't easy, but he says the support they have seen from the community over the years and especially during the funerals has kept them going.

"To see the community support happen when we escorted the body from Winston to Boone. I have never seen a parade this big with people lining the roads all the way from Winston-Salem. At every exit there were people out there," LeBeau said.

Most recently, the high country was hit by Hurricane Helene, causing major damage and taking lives.

"It was unprecedented times for sure," LeBeau said.

He says they worked nonstop and just months later the area is still not back to normal, but he's happy with the progress made.

He says there will always be one story that sits in his mind, one investigation that he wishes was solved before his time ended here.

"It's like he just dropped off the face of the Earth," LeBeau said.

The case of James Martin Roberts, an Appalachian State University student who disappeared in 2016.

"Since it happened we have just not had any credible leads to help solve that case," LeBeau said.

He hopes it's solved soon, because it's the one thing from his time here that he says is left unfinished.

LeBeau plans to stay in Boone and says he won't forget the community he served, but he's hopeful to see what the future has in store.

Maj. Daniel Duckworth was appointed interim police chief until the town can find LeBeau's replacement.