WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 – Charleston News, Sports, Weather
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Hundreds of people packed the inside of the Berkeley County courthouse in Moncks Corner to watch Duane Lewis be sworn in as the county’s newest sheriff.
At least four former GOP candidates for sheriff were at the swearing in ceremony, including several notable guests such as former attorney general Charlie Condon, former State Representative Henry Brown, and Dorchester County Sheriff L.C. Knight.
“Thank you again, each and every one of you for coming,” Lewis told the crowd. “It is my hope that I can make each of you proud.”
Lewis is now the former chief deputy of law enforcement at Santee Cooper. He got his early start in law enforcement as a deputy for the Berkeley Co. Sheriff’s Office.
During Friday’s swearing in ceremony, he said it was always a goal of his to one day lead the sheriff’s office.
“As a young kid growing up in Goose Creek, this was my dream,” stated Lewis.
The Honorable Kristi Lea Harrington, a resident Circuit Court Judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit, administered the oath of office to Lewis as his wife stood by his side. The new sheriff named his young son as a “special deputy.”
Now in office, Lewis says he plans to reduce response times, cut down the growing drug problem and ultimately make citizens feel safer in the communities they live in.
“I need each and every one of you. We all have a stake in this community,” stated Lewis. “There will be a renewal of community oriented policing. I have reminded all the deputies that they serve the public first.”
Lewis won Tuesday’s general election with 47 percent of the vote—but admitted the path to get to Friday’s ceremony was far from easy.
“This campaign has been stressful,” stated Lewis.
Lewis replaces Butch Henerey who had been serving as the county’s interim sheriff after longtime sheriff Wayne DeWitt resigned from office in February following his DUI arrest in late 2014.
Recent Comments