Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

JEFF
ITS ALMOST BEEN A YEAR, THE LOSE IS SO THAT IT SEEMS JUST YESTERDAY WE WERE TALKING AND WORKING AND LAUGHING AND THEN REALITY SETS IN AND I FIND MYSELF IN A PLACE THATS HARD TO HANDLE. I WILL ALWAYS HONOR OUR FRIENDSHIP AND KEEP IT CLOSE TO MY HEART.GOD SPEED.

DET. BUTCH HART
BCSD

April 1, 2005

Jeff, To us it's been almost 1 year since you were called home. As for you, you've never even seen the darkness of night. We have all had tears and all you know is joy. It's those nice thoughts that get us all through the rough days. You rest in the arms of our Lord and await the arrival of the rest of us. God has a plan for us even though we sometimes can't see where he's leading us. I'm sure you have your eyes on us and are watching as the Lord sends us to do what we need to do. Keep watching over us and keep meeting Tracie in her dreams as she has said so manytimes in her notes and reflections to you.
Sincerely,
A Friend

March 31, 2005

Jeff,
We are quickly approaching the 1 year anniversary of the day you were taken from us too soon. I still miss you and all your jokes and quirky humor you had with those of us at the store! At least twice a day I drive by your house to get to mine, and I still look for your car or truck in the driveway, but all I ever see is Tracie's car. My heart goes out to her. I know this is a difficult time for her and that she misses you greatly, as does the rest of the community. I'm not sure what, if anything, is being planned to honor you on your "anniversary", but I think I will tie a yellow and blue ribbon on my antenna to show you and your family that you are all still in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you and look forward to the day when I can tell you more bad jokes and give you hell about driving off w/ the gas handle still in your truck...LOL! Keep smiling for us and watching over us. We need you now more than ever.

Tracie,
I can only imagine how difficult the next few weeks will be for you. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Jeff was a great guy, the kind of guy we all wanted around us. He is recieving a truly deserving honor in D.C., so show off your pride and love for him in a way only he will understand. Please know you are not alone during this time and that our entire community misses him deeply. He will be with you, more than ever over the next few weeks.

God Bless you, Jeff, and your family.
Lauren Edwards

March 29, 2005

Jeff,
It is approaching the 1 year mark since your EOW, and it is no easier now than it was the very first night I was called, I write to you today asking only one thing, that is that you put your arms around Tracie and Taylor, hold them in a way that only they will know that you are there with them. My hurt for them both runs deeper than words will ever be able to express, I love them both, more than I do life it's self, I have done all I know to do, any suggestions from you would certainly be welcomed. Rest easy partner, until I see you on the other side.

FID

March 28, 2005

Dear Jeff,
Happy Easter! May God bless your family as they come to the 1 year point of their long journey. You are still loved and thought of often. There are lots of people looking out for Tracie and Tyler. Your LEO family will not let you down, they are all keeping up the good work as you always did. Not a day goes by that your name isn't brought up in either a funny story or a serious reflection of your knowledge of your job. You are missed by many... Happy Easter!!!!
LEO Wife

March 27, 2005

Tracie,
You and I have talked about how hard it is to live every day without Jeff. I also know that the next few weeks will be very emotional as the one year anniversary of his death arrives. I'm sure you don't know how you have made it through so far but like I told you, you can only worry about today and take one day at a time because anything more is too much to comprehend. You have made it through almost a year of the terrible "Firsts". The "seconds, thirds, etc." are hell too but you just learn how to deal with them and learn to do what you feel comfortable doing without worrying about what others think you should do. I read one of your reflections to Jeff and you said you sometimes wait for your number to be called so you can join him. I too share those feelings you sometime have because no matter what you do from here on, you will always miss Jeff & love him. There will be days that you wish the Lord would hurry and take you so that you won't have to deal with the hardship & pain that we have to deal with on earth. Hang in there girl and know that you will be in my prayers in the next few weeks as always (I know the incident a few weeks ago near Ledbetter Rd. really shook you up...I had you in my prayers then too). Give me a call if you need anything. Hopefully I can talk to you before you go to D.C. for Police Week. God bless you and keep your head up so you can see Jeff smiling back at you!

Denise
Survivor of Calvin E. Taylor

March 27, 2005

Happy Easter Jeff. Keep watch on your family.

Bob Gordon

March 27, 2005

While You Loved Me (Rascall Flatts)

If I ever write the story of my life
Don't be surprised if you're where it begins
I'd have to dedicate every line on
every page
To the momories we made, while you loved me

I was born the day you kissed me
And I died inside the night you left me
But I lived, oh how I lived
While you loved me

I'd start with chapter one, love innocent and young
As the morning sun on a new day
Even though I know the end, well I'd do it all again
'cause I got a lifetime in, while you loved me

Tracie M. Hewitt

March 20, 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART!

Today has been a difficult day! I wish so bad I could have been with you today on your birthday. I know you must have had a grand celebration! The Gordons sent me a card...they held a mass at their church today in your memory. That was so kind of them to do that. They are going to come and visit us soon. I can't wait to meet them. I thumbed through the new Spring issue of Cabella's magazine. I saw so many things I know you would have loved to have. It was so strange to drive past Dairy Queen and not be getting your icecream cake. I know how much you loved that! I'm sure heaven served you a mean blizzard though! I missed your smile so much. I couldn't help but think of the times when we would go out to dinner for your birthday. I would always find some way to sneak and tell the waitress to sing happy birthday to you. Your face would turn 10 shades of red! But I think you really kind of liked it! I went to the cemetary today with your family. We put some fresh flowers out and just spent some time in your honor. Later, we went to eat dinner at the Campfire! Almost every day that you worked you would call and say, "I'm going to get a salad at the Campfire". You sure did love that place. Your Dad and I were talking today, about how it just doesn't get any easier. The time has just flown by, a year almost past, but it still seems just like yesterday. I still can't comprehend that it has been 11 months since I held your hand or kissed your lips. If I could have just one more moment...just one more chance to hold you in my arms. I just can't help but wonder why things couldn't have been different. Why didn't your killer hear the kindness in your voice when you asked him to put that gun down. If he could have only realized what he was doing. If he could have only known how many lives he was going to change forever. I don't understand people like that! I hate to say this, but why couldn't he have just taken his own life and left it at that! Why did he have to take the love of my life away from me! If he could have just stopped for one second to realize that you were there to help him. I know if he would have just listened for one minute...you would have turned him around. You just had that affect on people! You were definately a "Peacemaker". I can't help but hate him for taking you away from me. Taylor said one day, that he missed having a "family". Why did this have to happen when everything was just going so well for our family? You would be so proud of Taylor. He is doing so well in Tae Kwon Do. He has changed so much...He's out of that "baby" stage. He would kill me if he knew I said that. Well, not exactly "baby", but you know what I mean. He's just growing up so much! Can you believe that I'm going to have a teenager on my hands in October. I think he's getting to the age, when he would have wanted to start doing "guy" things with you. He talks about you a lot and about how he regrets not going hunting or fishing with you more than he did. He just wasn't into those things yet. Our relationship has become so strong! I am so blessed to have him. He's the reason I keep going. Well, baby! I had better go! I just wanted to say "Happy Birthday"! Someday I will see you again and we will celebrate together. I hope you had a beautiful day! I love you so much, Jeff! I miss you more than you will ever know. I keep wondering if I will wake up and today will be the day...the day that my number will be called and I can be with you again. Until then...I'm depending on you and God to give me strength to keep moving down this broken road. See you in my dreams!

I'll love you forever,
Tra

P.S.
See you in a minute 1-4-3

Tracie M. Hewitt

March 20, 2005

Happy Birthday Son,
Today we gathered around your grave to spend some quiet time with you and to let you know how very much you're loved and missed. As we celebrated your 35th birthday our hearts were heavy because you were not here to celebrate with us. In our hearts we knew the celebration taking place in heaven was so far beyond anything we could have planned here on earth but we wanted to have you here with us just one more day. Today was your kind of day. It was beautiful, sunny and breezy. We brought you flowers, balloons, a butterfly and a beautiful message which was placed beneath your picture. In your honor we ate at the CAMPFIRE Restaurant. We can understand why you liked to eat there so much! Your dad, Susan, Tracie, Carolyn and I ate enough for you and us. We felt your presence so strongly thru out the day. Tears were shed and memories were exchanged. We love you and miss you so very much honey. It seems like such a short time ago that you were tucked safely near my heart, protected and loved as we anxiously awaited your arrival into this world. What a joyous blessing you were. You made our family complete and you were so special.Honey you brought us so much joy and you left behind so many wonderful memories. Watch over us honey. We need your strength. Help us to be strong and to accept your absence in our lives. Understand our tears when they fall and just hold us close. Someday we'll be together again and the pain will finally go away.
Have a wonderful birthday Jeff.
Love,
Mom,Dad, Susan, Tammy and family

March 20, 2005

Happy Birthday Sgt.
We often think of you and all your Family. We will NEVER forget!

BCSD

March 20, 2005

Happy Birthday Jeff!
Tracie, I know that today has got to be a rough day for you. If Jeff were here you'd celebrate his birthday and make sure he had ever thing he could want,cake,gitfs,a special dinner, and his best girl. Well, he has all of that in Heaven. The cake is huge, the gifts are beautiful, the dinner is never ending and he has you.... This guy is having a birthday that only those who love him the most are invited to share in. No one any where can never ever go between you. NO ONE. You hold his heart, his love and his secerts that only a wife can know. You hold your head high and know that Jeff loves you and will always love you. Celebrate his life and know he has been called to duty in the most beautiful place that anyone could dream of. I believe that God lets His people in heaven continue to love the special people they leave behind and that special person is you... Again we are all thinking of you and we are praying for you always. Your friends (wives of law enforcement officers) Like I was telling you the other day in my reflection to you adn Jeff, the one I think I made 1000 mistakes in (Ha Ha)You can meet me and my daughter at the moon anytime you need a freind. Some nights I just go out and look up at that big moon and know that just above that there are several people I can wait to see and talk to again. We are only a thought away.
May God Grant you peace in your life and you try real hard to celebrate just as you would if Jeff were here.

Much Love to you!
BCSD wife

March 20, 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF.

LT.LONG
BUNCOMBE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

March 20, 2005

Happy Birthday Jeff! We Love You!

BCSD

March 20, 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF

BCSD

March 19, 2005

HAPPY 35th BIRTHDAY!!! Hello to
Hoyt Teasley and David Wilhelm!
You are not forgotten!

March 19, 2005

Happy Birthday Jeff,

I know it will be a very trying day for all your loved ones and close friends and there will be more days in the future. All we can do is take one day at a time and make sure your name is not forgotten. Happy Birthday.

Bob and Carol Gordon

Bob Gordon

March 19, 2005

OUR DEAREST JEFFREY
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY,(MARCH 20,1970), YOU ENTERED OUR LIVES. FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER YOUR 34TH BIRTHDAY,(APRIL 04,2004), GOD TOOK YOU HOME. TODAY OUR GIFTS TO YOU WILL GO UNOPENED AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ON THE PHONE OR TO YOUR ANSWERING MACHINE, OR TO YOU IN PERSON. TODAY WE WILL GRIEVE, NOT CELEBRATE. TODAY, AS EVERY DAY, WE WILL MISS YOU. TODAY, THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING, EACH NEW FLOWER WILL CONTINUE TO BLOOM, THE BIRDS WILL STILL SING THEIR SONG- NATURE WILL UNFOLD ITS' BEAUTY FOR US TO BASK IN. BUT TODAY WE WILL SPEND TOGETHER, A FAMILY, TRYING TO COMFORT EACH OTHER, TRYING TO FILL A VOID THAT WILL BE FOREVER VACANT. TODAY, YOU WILL CELEBRATE YOUR DAY IN HEAVEN. I KNOW THE TRUMPETS WILL JOIN A SYMPHONY WHICH NO ONE HERE ON EARTH COULD IMAGINE. TODAY THE ANGELS WILL PLAY THEIR SONG FOR YOU. YOUR GIFT IS ETERNAL AND UNABLE TO BE MEASURED IN SIZE, IN PURPOSE, IN MONETARY VALUE. IT IS GREATER THAN WE CAN HUMANLY GIVE. LOVE IS ALL WE HAVE TO COMPARE WITH WHAT YOU NOW POSSESS. WE SEND THAT TO YOU-JEFFREY-. THANK-YOU FOR GIVING IT TO US. HEAR OUR WORDS, ESPECIALLY TODAY, AS TODAY THEY ARE SPOKEN OF YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WE LOVE AND MISS YOU, MOM, DAD, SUSAN, ERIC, JUSTIN, LEVI AND LOGAN, TAMMY, HAVEN, BLAYDE, MAMAW, PAPAW AND TEDDY.

SUSAN HEWITT
SISTER

March 19, 2005

Dear Brother,
Yesterday I had to come to Buncombe,and as always it continues to be an emotional trip for me. The time before that I rode behind an ambulance, this time it was a News 13 van. Memories flooded my mind as tears fell without control. I wanted to go straight to your house to be as close to you as I could. Your birthday is approaching, as well as 1 year of your EOW. Another chain of events which will give our family and others another hurdle to endure without you. Spring will be here, but this year you will be able to smell the flowers without sneezing, and you can have all the chocolate you want. It is us who will be sad. I saw and heard of the danger which faced your brothers on duty a few days ago. I know you were with them, thank God they carried out their mission without harm. Just another reminder of how important it is to this world to be protected by such brave men and women. I know you angels are/were right there with them. I know you were with me when the doctor gave me good news not long ago. In my eyes it was a miracle, I guess you and God still have plans for me down here. Either way, after we lost you, my fears lessened about alot of things. I know that whatever happens now that one day I will see you and your wonderful smile again. Today is St. Patricks day, I must go find something green to wear. Maybe I will just pin an Abe Lincoln to my lapel and carry on!! Ha. Getting ready reminds me of being at your house while you were getting ready to go on duty. Just the sight of you coming out in your uniform gave me such pride. You always wore it so well, as your dress blues, your camos, your leather jacket which I now wear, Your UT attire, your swat gear, your MP uniform, and even your landscape T-shirt you wore with pride. All these clothes were a reflection of you and the things you loved and honored. So many facets of you and your busy life are more of who you were and to me always will be. Now you are all these thing and more, for your wardrobe now is accompanied by beautiful wings that you earned here on earth. I Love you little brother. Susan

Susan Hewitt
Sister

March 17, 2005

Jeff, I know you were there to welcome Sgt.Teasley in to Heaven. I'm sure that God as a special place for you guys to be waiting on a fallen brother as he joins you in Heaven. Please ask God to hold this family close as they start their journey as Tracie,your family and your LEO family started not so long ago. As the new journey never ends it takes us all in a new direction and some times we aren't sure of which way to go. Watch over us all and know we are thinking of you and miss you very much. Tracie, we are praying for you and thinking of you always. May God bless.

LEO Wife
BCSD

March 12, 2005

Jeff,
Well brother I just returned just a while back from Iraq and I got a chance to catch up with my squad and some of the others at the office. This is when I was told about the resent shoot out on Ledbetter Rd. As I listened to the story and I heard that Edward Squad was the responding squad my heart dropped. As I listened to the story and was told no one was hurt, the first thing I said was “I guess Edward-2 checked on for that call”. Keep on watching over us and take care. Thanks for sending a few Angles my way in Iraq!!!

“Baker-10”

CPL A.R. Lawson
2/278th RCT
Operation Iraqi Freedom III

Deputy Aaron R. Lawson/Baker-10
Buncombe County Sheriffs Department

March 12, 2005

Hey Jeff,

Talk about de ja vue: The other night, I was working with your squad, Edward squad. They were attempting to serve a warrent, on the south end of the county. All of the sudden those two dreaded words, "shots fired, shots fired!" rang in my ears, once again. It was like it was happening all over again. It shook me up so badly that my hands started shaking so hard I could hardly type. But, Thank God, everyone was OK, nobody got hurt. I know in my heart your presence was there with them, giving them strength to do their duty. We miss you man, keep up the good work.......

Tracy,
Hang in there, and remember you are thought of everytime he is. I've read your reflections, and I know you're hurting. I wish I could give you a big hug and tell you everything's going to be alright. It will be, eventually. All my best, Rhonda.

Rhonda Kimbrough/Communicator
BCSD

March 12, 2005

I was deeply saddened when I heard of Jeff's death. Jeff and I went to high school together in Tullahoma, TN. I was also a football trainer and I remember Jeff's sense of sportsmanship and his infectious smile. He always had a smile and encouraging words for everyone he met. My deepest sympathies to Jeff's family and friends. Jeff will never be forgotten and it was honor knowing him.

Stacie Frazine Putman, Childhood Friend
Tennessee State University

March 11, 2005

***TO ALL VISITORS OF THIS WEBSITE***

On behalf of Jeff, the family and myself...I would like to thank each one again for their kind words. It is such a comfort to come to this page and find all of the loving words everyone has shared. At times when I feel I am all alone, I read the reflections, and know that we are in the thoughts and prayers of so many. I wish I knew how to contact each one of you and tell you how grateful we all are that "you" keep Jeff's memory alive. I guess the world isn't so bad after all..knowing there are people like "you" out there. I cannot express my gratitude enough.

To all of the LEO wives...keep the faith! You and your husbands are in my prayers always. You have received a devine call to be the wife of an officer. I know how many lonely nights you spend while the love of your life faces all of the dangers out there. Just know that Jeff is watching over them. He'll make sure God keeps a close eye out for them.

Thank you again! You are all such a blessing!

Tracie M. Hewitt

Tracie M. Hewitt
Jeff's Wife

March 6, 2005

Hi Jeff, the day is coming closer that Tracie and your family are going to Washington to hear your anme called out as your name is placed on teh Wall. What we would all give for your family to be planning a vacation or cookout for a birthday any thing that included your smile and their feeling you close to them. As a LEO wife I know what it's like to ask your husband to stay out of work and go out with some friends or just stay home and watch movies and to get the response of my guys need me, I could live if one of them got hurt because I wasn't there. I really have gotten my feelings hurt when that's the answer I get, but know after 15 year I don't even ask! LOL. I know Tracie would much rather be doing something else with you by her side than going to DC without you. Jeff, I watch and hear the things she says eachtime someone interviews her or a friend may have talked to her, or read her heart felt letters to you. I wish I could just take it all away and let her feel the way she wants to feel,(you here with her) Know that we are all proud of you and are holding on to the laughs, the talks and all of the of the other memories you have left us with. You keep telling the Lord how wonderful He is and how we all want to meet Him someday as we are joined in heaven with you.
Tracie, as you get ready to go to DC you know that we are all thinking of you and praying that you feel the closeness of the Lord and of Jeff as they are right there with you. When you feel that breeze go across your face know it's Jeff as he's thinking of what a wonderful person he married and how much he loves you. We (LEO Wives) will be with you in spirit, prayer and heart felt love that only us girls share. We will never forget your pain. Meet us here at Jeff's web site when you need a friend, a prayer or just to know you're not alone.
Jeff, you continue to watch over us.
Tracie, you cotinue to be the loving wife you are and know that we're praying for you. A little thing I share with my daughter is if you can't sleep at night meet me at the moon, I'll share this with you as well, If you can sleep and need someone to talk to meet us at the moon. Have a safe trip to DC and we are thinking about you.

Wife of a BCSD officer

March 6, 2005