‘It’s my home town,’ next TCPD chief says

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     Kevin Fowler has seen the world as a veteran special agent with the U.S. Secret Service, has served in academia as Dean of Public Safety at Southeastern Community College.

     He’ll add “Chief of Police” to his resume on January 1 as he takes the helm of the Tabor City Police Department.

     Fowler, who is 55, was introduced as the new chief during Tuesday’s Tabor City Town Council meeting. He was one of three applicants interviewed by council last week, among ten to submit formal applications, Town Manager Josh Ward said.

     “All of the applicants were uniquely qualified and I feel would have done a good job as chief,” Ward said. “Kevin’s experience in federal law enforcement, particularly in personal and organizational development, I felt like addressed some our needs in the department and bring something new to the table.”

Hometown ‘proud’

     Fowler was 20 when he left Tabor City and joined the U.S. Secret Service in 1995. After serving in posts in Charlotte, New York, Wilmington and Washington, D.C., and serving as Deputy Director for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Office of Investigation with assignments in Atlanta, Georgia, and Rockville, Maryland, Fowler retired in April 2023.

     “A lot of guys, when they retire, a lot of people seek that paycheck,” Fowler said, adding that his priority was to come home.

     “Tabor City is my home town,” Fowler said. “It’s my home town. There are more people around the world that have heard of Tabor City, North Carolina, because of my travels. I always let people know where I was from.

     “I’m very proud of Tabor City. The opportunity to come back and serve the community that I grew up in, it’s not just a responsibility, it’s a privilege.”

     Fowler joined the staff at Southeastern Community College volunteering and teaching Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) part time before being named Director of Law Enforcement Programs and Prison Education. He officially joined the staff in February 2024, and earlier this year was named Dean of Public Safety at SCC, overseeing Emergency Medical Services, Basic Law Enforcement Training, Fire Academy, Prison Education and Law Enforcement programs.

     “Southeastern has been extremely good to me,” Fowler said. “I like to think I’ve been able to do some good things.”

     But the opportunity to serve in his home town was one Fowler said he couldn’t pass up.

     “When you start talking about your home town, and you’ve been away for so long,” Fowler said. “You probably have less than five organizations that if someone calls you you’re going to take that call. A call from Tabor City, in any capacity, Tabor City was definitely one of those calls.”

     Look for more on this story in this week’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.