Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jeff,

I just wanted to stop in and say that I was thinking about you and Mike yesterday and drove right past my house and didn't realize it until I was about 100 feet past. I have decorated the entire exterior of my home with Blue Lights and one of those lights will be lit in your honor every night from now until New Years. It's my way of saying that you have not been forgotten. The holidays are here again, days that will be hard for all of us but we get through them. I'm sure at your loved ones dinner table just like at ours, you will be the talk of the day and stories will be told. Everyone will laugh as they will be good stories, ones that would make your face turn red with embarassment if you were here in person. It's our way of keeping your memory alive as we only have yesterdays but you and Mike both know how much we all love you, never forget that. When you run in to Mike, tell him I love and miss him terribly. Jeff, you will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

November 20, 2005

I normally try to read through some of the officers' reflections from time to time but I think I'll have to stop with yours today. I just reflect on your sacrifice and the same of your family's and I find myself filled with tears. The loss of a brother officer is hard, but to know that you were a brother Marine makes it worse. Why is is that we just can't be content with serving our country, we have to continue to make our home streets safe as well? For your sacrifice, you will always be a hero to me. I think of all the outstanding, selfless individuals like yourself when I kiss my wife goodbye every night and pray that the Lord brings me back to her in the morning. I can't thank you enough for your service and I know that your crown in Heaven will reflect all that you've given. It was the Marine Corps' birthday last week, here's to a belated happy birthday, motivator. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and stand tall as you forever immortalize the final verse of the Marine's Hymn and you guard the gates of Heaven. I pray that you would permit me to repay you and your family in this simple way by passing along the words of Numbers 6:24: "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; and may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Semper Fi.

C. Strong
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

November 17, 2005

Dear Jeff:

As a Marine and fellow law enforcement officer I feel the pain that your family is going thru due to your untimely passing. You will always be remmembered as a true friend and co-worker. Jeff, I grew up in Asheville NC and had the oppurtunity to speak with you at Bel-Chere. I know that Taylor and Tracie miss you deeply, as well as the rest of the department. Jeff, you will always hold a special place in my heart due to the kidness you have shown me. I konow that you probably don't remember me, but how can I forget you.

Semper FI Jeff

Jason Scott
SGT
USMC
Asheville NC

Sgt. Jason Scott
USMC

November 16, 2005

Dear brother, as the marines celebrated their birthday I knew that you and your brothers and sisters stood proud as each and every marine was honored. Thank you all for your service. I did not get to attend the ceremony for veterans day, but will be getting together with Mom and Dad soon to tribute you in a quiet gathering. My blue light will be shining soon and I have prepared one for your resting place. That is so hard to say. I know you came to see me last week. I was sleeping so sound when something woke me. I sat straight up, the room pitch dark, and saw a figure in white in the corner of my room. I kept trying to focus my eyes but the figure did not change or move. I felt no fear but peace. I felt safe and guarded. Still watching out for me, thank-you. You know I needed you as always. Next time you visit would you please say something.ha We never once parted without saying you loved me and I you. I always wish I could hear that just one more time. I know you still can so I tell you everyday. I'll be looking for you. See you soon, Love sissy.

susan hewitt
sister

November 12, 2005

To Jeff:

On this Veterans Day, I honor your distinquished service to your country.


Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater,
Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

November 11, 2005

In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red.
When the summer’s ceased its gleaming,
When the corn is past its prime,
When adventure’s lost its meaning,
I’ll be homeward bound in time.

Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.

If you find it’s me you're missing, if you’re hoping I’ll return.
To your thoughts I’ll soon be list’ning, and in the road I’ll stop and turn.
Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end.
And the path I’ll be retracing when I’m homeward bound again.

Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.

In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing,
I’ll be homeward bound again

Poem by Marta Keen

Melissa
Friend of Jake Laird EOW 8/18/04

November 11, 2005

It's the Marine Corps Birthday! I hope you are at Fiddlers Green with my friend Jake Laird sharing memories. God Speed Sgt. Hewitt

Melissa Smock
Friend of Jake Laird EOW 8/18/04

November 9, 2005

As all Marines on greeted on November 10th with special wishes, I wanted to say Happy Birthday, Marine. Semper Fi.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

November 9, 2005

Don't feel alone Taylor. Jeff is with you everyday- always. He's not going anywhere and he will hold your mom when she needs it most. Trust in that.

November 6, 2005

IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE YOU LEFT US AND I STILL AT TIMES WILL TYPE YOUR NAME ON THE DUTY ROSTER.WE WILL NEVER FORGET....TRACIE AND TAYLOR PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE STILL THERE IF YOU NEED US.....

REST IN PEACE BROTHER

LT.CHUCK LONG E-1
BUNCOMBE CO.SHERIFFS DEPT.

October 22, 2005

Taylor,
Jeff IS there with you and your mom, and thousands of people are praying for you also. Keep your head up and rememebr he is right there with you big guy.

October 20, 2005

To Taylor:

Jeff is there with you, and watching over you and your Mom. I am sure that he is very proud of you and your concern for your Mom. Remember that you are a strong family and will make it through this. Love and pride never dies. He is holding you in his heart just as you are holding him. Semper Fi.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

October 18, 2005

Hi Jeff,

Been meaning to leave a reflection for some time, I would always get half way through the message and end up canceling it. It's been over a year and a half for your family and over a year for us with Mike. All the missed family gatherings, holidays, special events-they all hurt without you being with us. We all are going on with our lives and taking one day at a time, thats about all we can do. We will never forget you for as long as we live and others will carry on after us to remember you both. Our love for you both will never die and is stronger than ever. I need you and Mike to keep watch over everyone and comfort all the broken hearts left behind down here. Also, keep watch over those still out on patrol and protect as many officers as you can. Take care.

Bob Gordon, father of Michael Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

October 18, 2005

He's there young man. Trust me, he'll always be there Taylor.

October 16, 2005

Hey Jeff,
I've been trying to write more now. I don't know why. I guess right now you are the only one I can talk to. Things have started going down hill again. I know you continue to watch over us. Mom and I saw a butterfly the other day. Only this one was different. It would crawl between my hand and mom's. I'm typing from school so I got to go. Please watch over mom and Help her. She needs you now so much. I love and miss you. Come visit one night will ya?
Love always,
Taylor

p.s. once again I beg you to help mom, I'm worried about her.

Taylor Youngblood
Step-son

October 14, 2005

HELLO MY FRIEND THINK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME.ALL YOUR FRIENDS THINK AND TALK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME.TAKE CARE AND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ON THE OTHER SIDE...

OFFICER MACKEY
BFPD

October 10, 2005

I love and miss you so much!



See you in a minute 1-4-3
Tra

Tracie Hewitt
Jeff's Wife

October 5, 2005

Hey Baby! I need you so much! I really really need you! Please let me know you are there. I need another butterfly...something.

SEE YOU IN A MINUTE 1-4-3
I Love you
Tracie

Tracie Hewitt
Jeff's Wife

October 4, 2005

Hey Sweetheart! I've been thinking about you so much! I've been really stressed this week. Nothing really major, just everyday stuff. I feel sometimes like I am losing control. Like I just can't make it without you. I wonder how in the world I can possibly survive without you. Well, I was having one of those days last Thursday. Feeling like the weight of the world is on me. So, I said to myself, "I wish Jeff would let me know he's here." I was sitting in the office downstairs and I had the outside door open. I looked over at the wall beside the door and there was something on the wall. I got up and walked over and it was a butterfly. It was black with dark blue wings and there were orange spots on it's wings (Tennessee orange I might add). I put my hand out and it crawled down onto my hand. I sat there and held it in my had for the longest time, then I called Taylor down to bring the camera. I took alot of pictures of it. It stuck around for at least 20 minutes, just going back and forth between my hand and Taylor's. We even walked outside and sat on the porch and it still just stayed there. I looked at Taylor and told him that it was your way of letting us know that you are still here with us. He had a tear in his eye and said how much he misses you. It was so strange how it just sat there. Taylor even asked if I thought there was something wrong with it and did I think it could fly. Just a couple of minutes later it flew into the air and danced around for a few minutes, then it disappeared into the sky. I know in my heart that was your way of letting me know that everything is going to be okay. Baby, I love you so much. I miss you every breath of every day. Please continue to watch after us. I love you forever!

See you in a minute 1-4-3
I love you
Tracie

Tracie Hewitt

September 25, 2005

HEY JEFF THANKS MAN. I KNEW YOU HAD MY BACK TUESDAY NIGHT WE WERE ALL SITTING AROUND THE STATION WHEN TONES WENT OFF AND DISPATCH CALLED STRUCTURE FIRE IN WAREHOUSE. WELL AFTER MAKING ENTRY INTO THE BUILDING WE WERE IN WITH ATTACK LINE MY PARTNER AND I. WELL IN WAS NASTY FIRE ALL AROUND AND A WAREHOUSE FULL OF JUNK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.WELL AFTER BEING IN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEY SENT OUT EVACUATION OVER THE RADIO WE STARTED TO HEAD OUT MY PARTNER IN LEAD.WE WERE HEADING OUT SO WE THOUGHT AND STOPPED. WELL WHEN WE STARTED AGAIN MY PARTNER WAS GONE AND BY THIS TIME THEY STARTED BLASTING AIR HORNS TO LEAVE BUILDING NOWWWWW. I KIND OF PANICED AT FIRST THEN WENT DOWN TO GROUND TO TRACE HOSE OUT. WELL GUESS WHAT EVERYTHING HAD FELL AROUND ME AND HOSE COVERED. NOW MY AIR SUPPLY LED LIGHT IS ON ORANGE MEANING GETTING LOW ON AIR. SO I TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND I FEEL THIS SUDDEN RUSH OF CALMNESS. AT THIS SAME TIME EXPLOSION TO REAR OF ME SUPRISE GAS CANS. WELL MY PARTNER GETS OUT THEY ASK WHERE IS JESSE--HE STATES I DONT KNOW HE WAS BEHIND ME.SO HERE I WAS LOST BUT THAT CLAMNESS THAT HIT ME TOLD ME TO DO WHAT I WAS TRAINED TO DO AND FIND A EXTERIOR WALL AND TRY TO GET OUT. I ACTIVATE MY PASS DEVICE AND SEARCH FOR A WALL. I FINALLY FIND A CLEAR SPOT AGAINEST THE WALL I FOUND A PIECE OF PIPE ON GROUND STARTED HITTING WALL TRYING TO MAKE AN EXIT AND IT WAS NOT WORKING SO THEY I SAT DOWN AND STARTED TAPPING WALL. THIS WHOLE TIME SUCKED CAUSE MY PARTNER HAD THE RADIO AND HE WAS OUT. WELL AFTER ABOUT FIVE OR SO MINUTES I HEAR A KNOCK BACK AND THEN I HEAR A CHAIN SAW RIPPING THROUGH THE WALL AND FEEL A ARM REACH IN AND GRAB ME. I'M SHARING THIS WITH YOU JEFF CAUSE THAT COOL CALMNESS I FELT COME OVER ME WHEN THIS WENT DOWN I FELT LIKE YOU WERE RIGHT THERE WITH ME LAUGHING TELLING ME JESS WE HAVE TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE AND YOU MADE ME JUST SO CALM SO I COULD USE MY HEAD AND DO WHAT I WAS TRAINED TO DO. THANKS COUSIN LOVE YOU MAN. I CANT WAIT TO SHOW THE FAMILY THE NEW TATTOO I'M GETTING OF YOU AND I AT YOUR MEMORIAL STANDING AT THE WALL. LOVE YOU ALWAYS COUSIN JESS JR.

FIREFIGHTER/MEDIC JESSE HEWITT II
NEWPORT NEWS FIRE DEPARTMENT

September 23, 2005

Dear Jeff,
It's been some time since I've been able to write,(internet troubles) imagine that. However I haven't missed a day talking to you. Dad had another birthday as you know. The Knife we had made for him from you and us is beautiful. The handle made from your deer. Each marking, and engraving bears memories of you. Dad is so proud of it, as are we. It was a full moon a few nights ago and just as the night we lost you, I was unable to sleep, just wishing that moon would hide behind anything. Losing you changed so many things. I used to love a full moon but now I can't bear them. I miss you so much brother. So many people continue to honor you, friends, classmates, law enforcement families, co-workers, military officers, your brothers and sisters from BCSD etc. I wish I could go to every reflection of every fallen officer and tell their friends and families how sorry I am for their loss for unfortunately I now have empathy instead of just sympathy. Each loss is so personal because of knowing their pain. I want to come here to talk to you with a strong carry on attitude just as you always had but I just can't sometimes. Nothing is the same and this is a time where changing that truely is hopeless. No hope, where does that lead us? Help us to be strong, know that we love you always and keep you with us always. I try to pretend you are working and too busy for us to visit, I try to pretend you are doing the things you loved, however that is easier for heaven holds you now and you can do anything you love with those who have joined you there. I guess I go on and on because to say I Love and Miss you doesn't sum it all up. There are no words or emotions great enough to express what I want you to know. Be with us for we have to have you there, every second of every day. Mom said that "Little" Jesse is getting a tatoo of him in full fire gear kneeling at the wall. It will show your name on the wall and you are standing behind him in your Sheriff uniform with your hand on his shoulder. I know you always are. He will send a picture of it to us for us to see. Well I should go now, I could continue but I will save room for others. Smile a little smile for me
laugh aloud so we can hear
Visit each and every dream
hold us close, catch our
tears.
Listen as we speak of you,
guide us through each day,
Don't forget, we miss you too,
Our love for you won't
fade.
Hold our hands when we fear,
and our courage is in doubt,
Let us know your still right
here,
Keep us strong and stout.
When you had to go away
our hearts were filled with
grief,
Yet among the things you left
us with are our favorite
memories.
Thank you for those Jeff, I will treasure them more than any possesion I will ever have. Love, Susan

Susan Hewitt
Sister

September 23, 2005

To the family and friends of Sgt. Jeff Hewitt:

When I first read about Jeff, it touched my soul in a significant way. The memory of every fallen officer is precious to us, but sometimes I read reflections and feel that I know the person through the memories of their loved one. Jeff is one of those for me. When I first wrote to Jeff's memorial, I identified with him because Jeff lived and worked in North Carolina, the birthplace of myself and my son Larry.

There is another special bond between Jeff and Larry. They are brothers in green as well as blue. Larry was a tank commander in the Marines before going into law enforcement and as the saying goes "One a Marine, Always a Marine". My son used to tease me and say I was more gung ho that he was. One of my most sacred possessions is a pin given to me that had been presented to my benefactor by the Commandant. I wear it at every court hearing as it gives me strength along with the memorial pin for my son and his fellow officer that was murdered two years earlier.

To Jeff's parents: I know that our brave sons set an example for us and we will continue to honor them, love them, miss them and cherish every special moment with them until our dying breath.
Pride is forever and so is a parent's love. Semper Fi

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

September 6, 2005

Hello Sweetheart! I was just missing you and thought I would let you know. I've had a busy week. I was in a little accident last week. Nothing serious and thank God it wasn't my fault. The first thing I did was pick up the phone to call someone. Funny, I still catch myself wanting to call you. You know what was the craziest thing! After you left us, Mom and your Mom started finding butterfly wings everywhere. Well, while we were waiting for the trooper to write the report, there was a butterfly dancing around us the entire time. It just stayed right there with me and Taylor. It was like you were letting me know that you were watching out for us. There was a terrible tragedy in New Orleans last week. I have heard stories of the officers that have taken their own lives due to the horror there. Baby, I pray that God will let you watch out for those people there. I wish there was something I could do for those families. It breaks my heart to see what is going on there. It makes me realize how thankful I am. Honey, I just want you to know I miss you so much. I think of you everyday. Keep watch over us. See you in my dreams.

See you in a minute 1-4-3
Tracie

Tracie Hewitt

September 5, 2005

Even after well over a year, I still really don't know what to say. Memorials and ceremonies have come and gone and people have paid the respect due you for everything you have ever done for God, Country, and of course Corps. I however still can't take your name out of my cell phone. I of course have shed many tears, most of them in private, after all we're Marines and not allowed to cry, but when all those emotions begin to subside and I think about you I laugh. We shared so many great memories most people will never know about. So many training days, and so many conversations about the Marine Corps, and so many missions where there was only laughter at the end. I like many others in law enforcement I'm sure, are asked sometimes, "what's the worst thing you've seen ?" For me it's not the dead bodies, the battered women, or the horrible car crashes. Sunday night April 4th 2004 I put my kids to bed around 2100. You know when a S.W.A.T. call come in they page us with a text page. The home phone rang about 2200. I started not to get it because like all of us in law enforcement we aren't rich and there are just some bills that don't get paid on time and I for one hate bill collectors. I for whatever reason answered the phone that night and I'm sure I'll never forget it. John Cabe's voice darkened the line and he said " Hey Jonathan, we have an officer down and we think it's Jeff we need you to be enroute to the office." I said ok, called my sister to get her over to the house to watch the kids and the world began to spin. The rest of the story needs no retelling, but you ask me to this day "what's the worst thing you've seen?" Well, I'll tell you it's the faces of my sleeping children as I ran down the hall that night and thinking how will anybody ever tell them daddy's not coming home. Since then as we always did Jeff, we put that behind us and drive on like we Marines are trained to do. Some people say it and mean well, but I know for 14 guy's that put on olive drab green when the pager goes off you are right here with us everytime we roll out. Jeff you are gone but believe me you will never be forgotten. In everything you did you exemplified that two word summary of life that they taught us to live by - SEMPER FIDELIS. Jeff you were always faithful and I think you for that. I'll see you at the final formation.

Deputy
Buncombe County Office of the Sheriff

August 31, 2005

WITH THE HOLIDAY FAST APPROACHING, I WANTED TO LET YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY KNOW YOU ALL CONTINUE TO BE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. WE ALL MISS YOU TREMENDOUSLY! GOD BLESS AND KEEP WATCH OVER ALL OF US DOWN HERE (JUST LIKE OLD TIMES!)

LAUREN

August 30, 2005