Vic Misenheimer promoted to lieutenant and will head to Raleigh to work in internal affairs.

Nathan Key

nathankey@newstopic.net

After six years as the supervisor for the N.C. Highway Patrol's district office serving Caldwell and Watauga counties, Vic Misenehimer is climbing the ladder of the state agency's hierarchy.

Misenheimer was informed last week that he has been promoted from his position of first sergeant with Troop F's District 2 office headequartered in Hudson to lieutenant and will be reassigned to the Highway Patrol's Internal Affairs division in Raleigh.

Misenheimer was at lunch last week when he received the congratulatory call from the new commander of Newton-based Troop F, Paul Phillips, a Caldwell County native and former Lenoir police officer who was named to succeed Randy Campbell as captain effective Sept. 14. Phillips received the word from Col. Randy Glover, commander of the State Highway Patrol.

"Obviously, it's sort of happy and sad at the same time," said Misenheimer, who came to Caldwell in 2003 as a first sergeant. "I hate to leave here. It's an excellent district."

A 23-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, Misenheimer worked the roads for 12 years as a trooper in Burke, Watauga, Wake and Wilkes counties before being promoted to sergeant. He earned the rank of first sergeant in 2002 and spent a year in Kinston before being reassigned to Caldwell County, where he has made his home for the last six years. He plans to keep his residence in Sawmills, hoping to eventually be assigned a lieutenant's position at Troop F headquarters in nearby Newton.

"I was hoping to get a lieutenant's position at Troop F headquarters," he said. "My goal is to transfer back here when that chance comes."

Misenheimer's promotion is bittersweet for his colleagues, those happy for his success but saddened by his impending departure.

"It couldn't happen to a finer person," said Sandy Pritchard, office assistant for the Hudson office. "We're losing a good man."

Master Trooper M.T. Stutts added, "We sure hate to lose him."

"Everybody wanted him to get the promotion, but nobody wanted him to leave here," Master Trooper R.K. Dills said.

In being reassigned to Wake County, Misenheimer will work with a first sergeant to form a two-person team that investigates complaints not handled by district offices or troop headquarters. His primary focus the last seven years has been a supervisory capacity, but his efforts with Internal Affairs will focus on investigations, primarily those involving troopers.

"It will be a totally different role," he explained. "The last seven years I've managed operations of a district. This will be a learning experience, a different job."

During his tenure in Caldwell County, Misenheimer said his desire was to build positive relationships with other law enforcement agencies and reduce collisions. He thinks he accomplished both those tasks.

"I think we have done those things here," he said.

Being elevated to the rank of lieutenant is an affirmation of the years of service and work put into the job by Misenheimer, but he admitted leaving his role as first sergeant at the district office will be difficult.

"I'll miss these guys," he said. "I've gotten to know a lot of people in the public, both in Caldwell and Watauga county, and there are some very good people here. That's the tough part about going."

Sgt D.D. Dawson and Sgt. Barry Adams have worked under Misenheimer's supervision for several year. Like their fellow troopers, they hate to see Misenheimer move on, though they are happy for him and the opportunity presented to him to move up in the NCHP's ranks.

"He's the best first sergeant I've worked for since joining the Highway Patrol," Dawson said. "I hate to see him go. We're going to miss him."

Adams added, "I'm glad he's getting promoted. He's been good to work with. He's a good guy and been a good first sergeant for us because he looked after all of us."

Misenheimer's successor as first sergeant for the two-county district office is expected to be named and in place by Sept. 14.