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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR A. LEWIS MCCARTY FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS LEXINGTON COUNTY'S INTERIM CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
Whereas, on June 17, 2014, A. Lewis McCarty willingly stepped out of retirement to answer the call of Governor Nikki R. Haley to serve as interim sheriff of Lexington County; and
Whereas, taking immediate action, Sheriff McCarty worked unstintingly to restore trust and confidence in the office of sheriff and brought immediate stability and integrity to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department during a difficult period; and
Whereas, he streamlined the responsibilities of his deputies by refocusing emphasis on basic law enforcement services to taxpayers in Lexington County so that the deputies could perform their duties unencumbered while serving to the best of their abilities; and
Whereas, when newly elected Lexington County Sheriff Bryan "Jay" Koon took office on April 24, 2015, Sheriff McCarty worked in partnership with him to ensure a smooth transition to Mr. Koon's administration; and
Whereas, a lifelong resident of Lexington County, Lewis McCarty graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School in 1961 and then earned an associate's degree in marketing from Palmer College; and
Whereas, in 1964, he commenced his thirty-five year career in law enforcement as a patrolman with the West Columbia Police Department, where he remained until 1972 when he was appointed assistant sheriff for the Lexington County Sheriff's Department; and
Whereas, a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Assistant Sheriff McCarty served as a mentor and trusted colleague in the Sheriff's Department, as well as a strong administrator, until his retirement in 1999; and
Whereas, during his tenure as assistant sheriff, Lewis McCarty played an instrumental role in implementing new technology and resources to solve criminal cases in South Carolina, including the use of behavioral science to profile and identify a serial murderer who later was convicted and executed for his crimes; and
Whereas, highly regarded over the years by all those he has worked with in the performance of his duties, including both Representatives Ralph Kennedy and Tommy Pope when they were just young assistant solicitors in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, the lifelong resident of Lexington County was described by Judge Knox McMahon as a man with "one of the finest public servant hearts" he has ever known who, when duty called him back home from retirement, once again "geared up and went back on patrol"; and
Whereas, among his many accolades in law enforcement, he was honored with the Strom Thurmond Award of Excellence for Law Enforcement, the Thomas J. Fox Award of Excellence in Law Enforcement, and the High Shooter Award from the South Carolina National Guard; and
Whereas, Lewis McCarty is the loving husband of Gayle McCarty and the proud father of two children, Frances Gable and Robert Johnson, who have blessed their parents with four delightful grandchildren. As people of faith, the McCartys worship at Mount Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives deeply appreciate Lewis McCarty's dedication to protecting the citizens of our State, most particularly those in Lexington County, and commend his exemplary service as interim sheriff in Lexington County. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor A. Lewis McCarty for his distinguished service as Lexington County's interim chief law enforcement officer.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to A. Lewis McCarty.
This web page was last updated on May 14, 2015 at 2:13 PM