Twenty three years on any job and you are bound to make close friends, but 23 years on the job with the Asheville Police Department, and you are family. That’s what Captain Daryl Fisher said at his April 24 retirement party, surrounded by friends and colleagues from the APD, the City of Asheville and the community at large.
“It has been fun. This is truly a family,” Fisher said. “Everybody has to look out for each other. Without that, we’re out there alone. Stick together, look out for each other and be safe.”
Widely recognized in the community for his work both within and outside the department, Fisher reaffirmed the close-knit ties officers have as a team.
Fisher began his APD career as a patrol officer in 1989 and worked in multiple arms of the department including the Drug Suppression and Criminal Investigation Units, achieving the rank of Captain in 2007. Along the way, Fisher contributed invaluable support to milestones within the department, including participating in major drug investigations as a member of the Metropolitan Enforcement Group and later as command of the Drug Suppression Unit. He was integral in the move of the APD’s emergency communication operations into the joint 911 call center the City now shares with Buncombe County and for the past two years has overseen command of the Patrol Division.
At his reception, amid stories and jokes from his fellow officers, Fisher was presented with his service weapon by APD Chief William Anderson who cited Fisher for his “Character, dedication and preparation.” Anderson was especially thankful for the help Fisher provided for the incoming chief, who took on the job earlier this year. “He made sure I had as much information as possible when I came in,” Anderson said. “Daryl is an example of what we want to accomplish.”
Asheville City Manger Gary Jackson praised Fisher for upholding the integrity of the department. “He has always done good work and he has made the department proud through it all,” Jackson said.