This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is outgoing Carrboro Police Chief Walter Horton.

A native of Carrboro, Horton joined the department in 1993 as a member of the patrol division.

“My greatest accomplishment has been being true to this department and this community,” Horton said. “I’m thankful to all the officers and the staff of the department, as well as all my Town of Carrboro colleagues. I would not have been successful without them.”

Horton grew up on Prince Street south of Jones Ferry Road in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. He spent his years of primary education in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and graduated from Mount Olive College with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

In 2001, Horton received the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, which is given by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. The commission is designed to reward and recognize officers who continually strive to better themselves professionally.

“It’s really kind of bittersweet because Chief Horton became the chief right around the time that I became mayor,” said Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle. “I found him really awesome to work with.”

Lavelle said what makes Horton a Hometown Hero is the quiet work he does behind the scenes.

“He’s never front and center. He’s never out in front of a microphone making a speech or holding a press conference. Rather, I think he’s one of those leaders that’s in the background and very responsive to the community.”

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Carrboro Film Fest Rescheduled for February 27 — March 1, 2026 Due to Winter Storm
Carrboro Film Fest has rescheduled their 20th festival to take place a month later than normally scheduled, due to hazardous weather conditions.
Orange County Communities to Observe Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19. Here's How it Affects Services.
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Most town offices will be closed Monday. Residential trash normally collected Monday will be collected Wednesday, Jan. 21. Curbside recycling collection will […]
Carrboro: Protests, Poet's Party, MLK Preview
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, January 16, discussing town news and events. She discussed participation in a protest march in Carrboro last weekend. She also outlined the Poet's Party at the Drakeford Library Complex, as well as previewing next weekend's Carrboro Film Fest at the same location. She also previewed several Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities in our community, and more.
NCDOT Installing Pedestrian Infrastructure at 3 N.C. Highway 54 Intersections
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will partner with the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro to install pedestrian and bicyclist improvements at three intersections along North Carolina Highway 54. NCDOT will begin work Monday, Feb. 2 to install crosswalks with traffic signals at the highway’s intersections with: The Kingswood Apartments complex in Chapel Hill […]
In Milestone Year, Carrboro Film Fest Moves to Drakeford Complex and Prepares for Stand-By Lines
Carrboro Film Fest is marking a major milestone this winter, as the locally organized and town-sponsored film festival enters its 20th year.
Hundreds March in Carrboro to Protest ICE, Honor Minnesota Shooting Victim
Orange County community members lined the sidewalks to walk from Carrboro Town Commons to Weaver Street Market in solemn protest.
Grata Diner In Carrboro Closes, Shifts Focus To Nonprofit Work
Grata Diner, a Carrboro restaurant featuring breakfast fare, closed on Sunday, Jan. 4. Now the owner will focus on his nonprofit.
Inclusive Employer Extraordinary Ventures to Take Over CommunityWorx's Thrift Shop
Extraordinary Ventures, a nonprofit that provides jobs to adults with disabilities, will add the Carrboro thrift shop to its operations.
CommunityWorx Ending Thrift Shop Operations, Transitioning Carrboro Space to Different Nonprofit
The thrift shop run by CommunityWorx is ending its 72-year run of operations this week and is transitioning the space to a different group.
Top Stories of 2025: In Orange County, An Anticlimactic Election
The municipal election was always going to be one of the top stories of 2025 in Chapel Hill - though this year's race was unusually quiet.
›