May 8, 2006

The family of Sgt. Jeff Hewitt created an endowed scholarship at A-B Tech in his memory. From left are Hewitt’s stepson, Taylor Youngblood; his wife, Tracie Hewitt; A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey; his mother, Pat Hewitt; ??, his father, Bill Hewitt.

A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey and the family of slain law enforcement officer Jeffrey Todd Hewitt announced the creation of an endowed scholarship in Hewitt’s memory on April 4 the second anniversary of Hewitt’s death.

Hewitt had been employed as a deputy with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department for 11 years. He was fatally shot while attempting to serve involuntary mental commitment papers at a Skyland residence.

Hewitt received many outstanding achievement awards during his career with the Sheriff’s Department, including 2001 Officer of the Year. At the time of his death, he was working as a patrol sergeant and was a member of the Special Response Team.

The Hewitt family has donated $11,500 to create the scholarship. The second annual Sgt. Jeff Hewitt Memorial 5k run/walk sponsored by Skyland Fire and Rescue and the Sheriff’s Department, raised $500 for the scholarship.

Hewitt had taken law enforcement courses at A-B Tech, and his wife, Tracie, is a 2003 graduate of the college’s Medical Coding program. The scholarship created in his memory will assist students in A-B Tech’s law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical science programs.

Sgt. Hewitt Biography

Sgt. Jeffrey Todd Hewitt was born March 20, 1970 to Billy G. and Patricia Muse Hewitt, in Newport News, Va. Jeff had two sisters: Susan Hewitt of Clyde and Tammy Keener of Waynesville. The family moved to Tullahoma, TN in 1973, where Jeff won the hearts of young and old with his playful ways and winning smile. Jeff attended Tullahoma High School. He participated in a variety of sports including: boxing, wrestling, baseball and his favorite – football.

Upon graduation from high school in 1988, Jeff joined the Marine Corps. He served six years as an M.P., quickly rising to the rand of Sergeant. He served in Desert Storm aboard the USS Iwo Jima. His love for law enforcement continued when he left the Marine Corps. Law enforcement was a career that chose Jeff as much as Jeff chose it.

In 1994, Jeff moved to Asheville, N.C., where he began his career at the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. Jeff quickly became Sergeant over Edward Squad. He received much recognition during his career there including: Sheriff’s Good Conduct Award (1994-1997), Officer of the Month (October 1996, February 2000), Patrol Division Officer of the Month (January 2000), Officer of the Year (2001), Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate (May 2002), Sheriff’s Top Twenty Shooters (2003), Sheriff’s Response Team (2003-In recognition of his achievement as a SRT member), and Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Marshals Service, Western District of N.C. during U.S. v. Eric Robert Rudolph)

Sgt. Hewitt resided in Buncombe County, N.C., with his wife Tracie Moore Hewitt and stepson Taylor Youngblood, until his death on April 4, 2004. Sgt. Hewitt was shot and killed at a residence on Fairhaven Court. He and three other deputies were serving involuntary mental commitment papers on a subject who had been involved in a domestic disturbance earlier that evening. When the deputies arrived at the residence, they encountered a locked gate. Sgt. Hewitt climbed over the gate and observed the suspect hiding in the bushes with a shotgun. Sgt. Hewitt ordered the suspect to drop his weapon and warned the other deputies. The suspect opened fire, fatally injuring Sgt. Hewitt. The deputies returned fire, wounding the suspect, who fled a short distance before committing suicide. It is believed that the suspect was waiting to ambush all the deputies. Sgt. Hewitt’s actions, in warning the other deputies, are accredited with saving their lives.

Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hewitt was dedicated to his department, fellow officers, friends and family. He was a true Marine and Law Enforcement Officer. This scholarship is a tribute to his life. We hope that each recipient will enter his or her career with pride, dedication and courage. It is our honor to provide this scholarship, not only to preserve his memory, but to assist others as they pursue their dreams.