SHERIFF MARK BUCHANAN

Sheriff Buchanan is 62 years of age and was born and raised in Sylva, NC. He attended Western Carolina University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement in 1983. 

Sheriff Buchanan worked for the Jackson County, NC Sheriff’s Office as a Patrol Officer and Detective for 6-1/2 years. He then began employment with the NC State Bureau of Investigation until retirement in 2011. He retired as the Special Agent in Charge for the 6 western most NC counties.  

After retiring from the NC State Bureau of Investigation, Sheriff Buchanan continued service as a volunteer sworn Deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. He has continually retained his sworn status with all required yearly training until current. He has received approximately 3500 hours of specialized training over the past 40 years of being a sworn law enforcement officer.

Throughout his career, Sheriff Buchanan has served as a Patrol Deputy, supervised a variety of personnel,  and investigated most every crime imaginable. These Investigations include public/police wrongdoing, drug cases, financial crimes, homicides, etc.  

Sheriff Buchanan and his wife, Rhonda, have two daughters and ten grandchildren. All of his immediate family are currently living in beautiful Clay County.  

Sheriff Buchanan is a member of Hayesville First United Methodist Church, Hayesville Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, and Fraternal Order of Police. He actively volunteers with the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville and the Nomads which is a traveling group for mission and disaster relief work of all kinds.