Viewer comments about Sheriff Hewett suspension

HERE'S A LINK THAT SEEMS TO CLARIFY HOW THE PROCESS WORKS... darexgore.brunswickvoice.com---

This is a modern day witch hunt.When the crime rate starts going up in Brunswick County,all the northern politicians that relocated to our county and want you removed from office will be begging you to take your job back. If the Federal Grand JURY investigated every sheriffs dept in the state they would find at least one or two problems.But that doesnt make them a criminal.Hang in there Ron and remember ''ITS NOT HOW MANY TIMES YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN, ITS HOW MANY TIMES YOU GET BACK UP''.

I think that Sheriff Hewett is a good person...when I see him or have been in contact with him. Yes, the things he did were ABSOLUTELY WRONG...and he deserves punishment. BUT...how many other political figures have done these same things and have NOT gotten caught yet. Who knows? When your wrongdoing gets out in public, that's when people start paying attention. So it's okay if you don't know about it?? Just think about that. It's kinda like the saying that goes something like "It's only a lie if you get caught"..or something like that. That applies here. Think abou it.

Thank god,he deserves it being that he has more money now since how he takes the drug money that is to go in to the school system and puts it into his on pocket and has a $250,000.00 home on a county sheriffs pay Yeah right do the math he is guilty as sin.

I wonder how many people have jobs that they are never off duty? I wonder how many people throwing stones at this man have had a few drinks in their own home after they are off work? Ron Hewett should not be judged for what he chooses to do on his own time, in his own home. He can not help that crime does not rest and his deputies call him, even when he is off duty. Is he never allowed to have off time, to have a drink if he pleases? How many people passing judgement on this man are willing to never have a drink on their off time again because it might be considered inappropriate for their job. I wonder if the members of the media have drinks on their time off? This is just a witch hunt, someone wants him out and they've rallied others in their quest. And our district attorney, please! I guess there are no skeletons in his closet. I wonder what a PI could dig up if he looked long enough? I think everyone throwing stones out there should look at themselves first and follow the most respected speaker of all times recommendation of, "Those without sin throw the first stone".

I am just dumbfounded at some of these comments.... Hewett set himself to a higher standard the moment he became an officer. His job is to LEAD BY EXAMPLE!!! As a citizen of this county I am appalled that so many are defending him. If I had commited these same acts, I would be in jail. He shouldn't be treated any differently. In fact, he should be more accountable. Our safety was in His hands. Our children looked up to him. Do I want my son to be like Ron? NO!! The disrespectful terms he used, drinking, total lack of self-control? Poor judgement? No. We can do much better in Brunswick County.

My father was a property manager for 2 apartment complexes in Wilmington in the 70's and 80's. He used to tell me about deputies under Sheriff H.G. Groman and the Sheriff's that followed him who would come to search apartments and durring their search the would pocket cash, jewelry, and any other small valuble they might find. Corruption in law enforcment is nothing new and it seems to be getting worse instead of better. Dishonest officers and deputies make it impossible for for the honest ones to do their jobs and criminals get away in the process. They should fry Ron Hewett's ass just like they did Wilmington native Mike Nifong when he tried to screw the Duke lacross players. Send the message just because you have a badge and an office you are not above the law.

Well, here the County goes again! Another sheriff caught with his hand in the cookie jar again. Takes us back to the 70's and a former sheriff who had a very profitable sideline business using his personnel for guarding the coast for his drug running business. How familiar!!! Taking a 17 year old to a hostage situation is even more crazy. It would be like taking a 2 year old to a fire scene. Maybe it is time for the State of North Carolina to take a STRONG look at doing away with electing sheriffs and making requiring the county that they work for hire them just like any other employee. Sheriffs have way too much power now and it seems to go to a lot of heads. Time to make some modern changes to the good ole boys system

God is good!!! What goes up must come down. Considering the situation at hand, now is the time to revisit the Paul Pelham situation. Remember the black male that got shot 17 times by the Brunswick County sheriffs's dept.? Some of the same deputies whose names i.e. Steven Lanier Mickey Smith, Caison are listed on the affidavit are the ones who are part of the SWAT team that shot at Paul Pelham over 60 times on Oct.5th, 2001. So if Ronald Hewitt and his deputies are crooked now they were crooked then. Perhaps since the deputies and his staff/deputies claim to be intimidated by Hewitt then it is possible to have lied 7 years ago about what really happened on the night of Oct. 5, 2001 on Van Galloway Trl.What is done in the night will come to the light!!

The crudeness of Mr Hewett should be appalling to any husband, father, or brother of a lady. While supporters are taking a stand on what a good man Mr. Hewett is I ask, do you accept as OK your wife, daughter, or sister having to be subjected to remarks about their "puppies"? Would you refer to your wife's breast to another man as, "basset hounds"? Humorous? Want to laugh? What if it was your wife, your daughter, or your sister? What if it were your mother? Humorous now? I think not. These comments are by law, illegal. By any reasonable standard, they are crude. I think Hewett has a daughter. Does he want any of us to comment on her puppies? I think not! Shame on you Ronald Hewett, you are not in the least, a southern gentleman. You are a hypocrite! I was raised as I am sure you were to know right from wrong. You, however, chose crudeness! How embarrassing to your good parents that taught you better and then you ignored!

this is not the first time he has done wrong , he was commiting crimes before he became sheriff. I personally know of a federal crime he committed in 1986 that he was never charged with along with Pete Moore. Kidnapping is a crime for most but not for him , he was doing his job, right . My life was changed forever, and you cant turn back time , but maybe now he will get the justice he deserves. Believe I will be following this case closely. Lets all hope he doesn"t get out of this one too.

There are a few more audio recordings on myrtlebeachonline.com for those who would like to hear..

I strongly feel that Mr. Hewett is not perfect but, since he is an elected official... that it should be taken to the polls and let the citizens decide on the future of Sheriff Hewett. Sheriff Hewett has done alot for our county. Look at Leland for example. That place was a dump and no decent people would live there 10 years ago. Now it is nice and thriving. Once know as a drug haven it is cleaned up now! He is a good man with strong ties to our county. He needs our support now and we need to support him. Some of his closest friends have done the unthinkable! We as citizens of this County need to step up and really think about what Sheriff Hewett has done for us and our county. Alot of new citizens do not know what it was like prior to Sheriff Hewett I will tell you it was a slum. Drugs everywhere! So you need to thank him for turning it around! Granted it was not done by just him but he spearheaded the progress. He loves Brunswick county and it is time for us to support our own!

Sure sounds to me like Sheriff Hewett stepped on a lot of toes, starting with all the drug busts. I'm reserving judgement until ALL of the facts are out since i think Sheriff Hewett is a fine man and a brave one too. I remember another couple of county officials some years ago who served time for drug smuggling. He who is without sin should indeed go ahead and cast some stones as you are truly the only ones qualified to do so.

I think this is ridiclious! All that this is kicking someone while they are already down! I have known Mr. Hewett since I was a child and I have to honestlly say that is is a decent man. Of course did he make some mistakes? Yes. Everyone on here has! I think he did the best he could do. As far as him being drunk what he does on his own time is his business which is true for everyone. It is a shame that his officers had no LOYALTY or RESPECT. They decieved him with the lowest thing they could of done to him which was betray his friendship! If I am not mistaken is it not illegal to record somone with out thier consent? I do not believe that the recordings will be admissable in court. For all of the drug activity in this County you can not place blame on the Sheriff. He did his part to arrest the indivuals it is our court system who releases them with no consuquences. I am sure that the officers who "narked" on him felt like they were earning brownie points for community service. Ask yourself this why would they do this now? I am sure that they have deeds they are trying to cover up! Some of these deputy's have been with the Dept. for years they need to be let go also if Sheriff Hewett is. They are just as guilty as he is! Not only that, did any of them try to talk to him about thier concerns? Probably not because they were in on it. Now when a Federal inveatigation looks in to Brunswick County you see Deputy's running scared and turning on one another. This is not the type of people I want running my County! I say if Sheriff Hewett goes then there needs to be an overhaul at the Sheriffs Dept. because he was not alone!