Swain County Sheriff’s Office deputies remember the nation’s fallen heroes 24 years later.
Lt. Det. Dennis Elliott cited a quote from the late General George S. Patton: “It is foolish for us to mourn the men and women who died but rather thank God that such men and women lived.”
Elliott served as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army from 1989-1997. During that time he acquired immense love, respect and honor for the brave men and women who gave their lives for the United States of America.
“The United States flag doesn’t represent skin color, race or religion; it represents freedom that we may all have and the right to live in this wonderful place we call home, America, land of the free and the brave,” said Elliott. “On Sept. 11, 2001, cowardly individuals violated the rights that we hold so near and dear to our hearts and selfishly took the lives of so many innocent people. Other countries are not so lucky to have what this country offers, but the only way this country is the way it is, is because of the brave men and women that gave their lives that we may be free.”
Elliott went on to serve Swain County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy, patrol sergeant and special response team member before making lieutenant detective.
After nearly 20 years of law enforcement service, Elliott says he is most thankful for time spent with brave men and women who have taken oath on the Holy Bible to serve and defend the Constitution of the state of North Carolina and the Constitution of the United States of America.
Elliott added that he enjoys bearing witness to the love and honor of his fellow deputies, along with their willingness to ensure this country will always be “free.”
Lt. Det. Kevin Bryson currently serves as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. Bryson commands the 390th Engineer Company in Chattanooga.
Bryson served a two-year deployment in Sadr City and Al Diwaniyah, Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror following the events of 9/11/2001. He achieved the rank of staff sergeant while on active duty with the U.S. Army as an infantryman.
Bryson was living in Italy
during the terrorist attacks of 9/11. He resided there with his father, Bryson City Fire Department Chief Charles Bryson, who served as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Aviano Air Base. On top of Bryson’s many duties, he serves Bryson City Fire Department as a lieutenant, under his father.
Bryson identified his greatest accomplishment as “establishing the rapport with Swain County as a trusted leader who is quickly able to problem-solve with words, deescalate hostile situations and effectively handle situations where severe physical trauma and disaster have occurred.”
Chief Deputy Jason Ashe joined the North Carolina Army National Guard in 1997 and was assigned to the 211th Military Police Company in Clyde.
In 2000, Ashe transitioned to active duty as a Security Forces member in the U.S. Air Force, where he remained until August 2006. Ashe achieved the rank of staff sergeant while on active duty.
“It was my 22nd birthday and my uncle and I were preparing to go to Cataloochee camping and fly fishing for the week,” said Ashe. “My aunt came running out of the house and yelled at us that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center. I looked at my uncle and said that an air traffic controller was going to be in big trouble. We went inside of the house and started watching the news. I saw the second plane hit live and the hair on my neck and arms immediately stood on end. I told my uncle that we had just been attacked. I knew the very moment the second plane hit that a lot of our lives were going to change forever. Looking back on it 24 years later, I was right.”
Ashe deployed to Baghdad in 2004 in support of the Global War on Terror.