Police Chief down, New Ellenton, SC

[Ducky]

News 12 @ 11 o'clock -- January 28, 2009
NEW ELLENTON S.C.-- Chief Johnnie Hamilton, 55 years old of the New Ellenton police department, was pronounced dead at the scene of a two vehicle collision in the city of Perry, South Carolina.
Chief Hamilton was traveling north on Poole Road in the town of Perry, when he failed to yield the right of way at the intersection of Walker Road and Poole Road at 3:15 PM. Chief Hamilton was traveling to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, SC on business. A passenger, Maria Kenedy in Chief Hamilton's 2008 Crown Victoria police car was transported to Palmetto Richland Memorial hospital in Columbia, SC, with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
New Ellenton's City Hall flag is now at half staff. Cars fill the parking lot and a community remembers one of it's leaders.
"It stunned me. I just, i just, it still hasn't hit me," said Lt. William Cook of the New Ellenton Police Department.
Lieutenant Cook says he talked to Chief Hamilton just hours before he died and still can't come to terms with it all.
"I just talked to him probably about 12 o'clock today about a case, just talking to him. Then the next thing I hear, he's involved in this accident and it shocked me," said Lt. Cook.
A shock shared by other city leaders.
"We lost a good person. What Michael Frank was to the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, Chief Hamilton was to the New Ellenton Police Department," said Donald Perry, Director of New Ellenton Parks and Recreation.
Mayor Vernon Dunbar says, "Times like these, we just really have to pull together to get through it."
Mayor Dunbar says even though Johnny Hamilton has been chief for less than three years, his death is still devastating to the whole town.
"There's no, no words to describe the feelings especially to the family, fellow citizens, employees and his officers. We're all going to miss him," said Mayor Dunbar.
A loss that leaves a big hole in this small town.
"Him not being here. You could come here and he'd be here anytime you need him, at anytime, day or night. It's gonna be hard to replace him," said Lt. Cook.
The Aiken County Coroner says Chief Hamilton was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and that a toxicology report is pending.



New Ellenton Police Chief dies in accident / - Augusta, Georgia News, Weather, Sports, Consumer Advocacy and Community Events


RIP Johnnie. Your officers have things covered.

[lewisipso]

RIP.

[Odd]

Rest easy Chief Hamilton.

[Jenna]

Rest in peace.

[Captain America]

Rest in peace , Chief Hamilton.

[Second Chance]

Rest in Peace Chief

[Pudge]

Rest easy, Chief.

[Buttercup]

Rest in peace.

[BigDawg]

RIP Chief

[Wolven]

God Speed Chief.

[2 Blue 4 U]

Condolences to his family and friends, May he Rest in Peace

[depusm12]

RIP Chief, smoke and prayers from Kansas. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and fellow officers.