Holly MatkinRising Sun, IN – Rising Sun Police Chief David Hewitt was killed in a single-vehicle crash on an icy roadway as he was headed to work on Wednesday morning.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. as Chief Hewitt, 49, was traveling along State Road 56 near Spring Branch Road, the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) said, according to WIKI.
He was airlifted from the scene and transported to Carroll County Memorial Hospital in Kentucky, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, but the icy roadway was likely a contributing factor, WIKI reported.
Chief Hewitt served with the Lawrenceburg Police Department, the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department, and SCSO prior to joining the Rising Sun Police Department in 1998.
He was promoted to the rank of chief in 2004.
In a press release, Rising Sun Mayor Brent Bascom ordered that flags be lowered for a period of 27 days – one for each year Chief Hewitt served as a law enforcement officer.
“He was a tremendous asset to his department, the city, pretty much everybody,” Bascom told WKRC. “It’s tough. There’s no question about it.”
Rising Sun Police Sergeant Frank McIntosh said that Chief Hewitt was beloved by the department and the community he served.
“He was very well-liked,” Sgt. McIntosh told WCPO. “A very good leader, a motivator of people, all-around great guy.”
“David was a blessing to have known as a friend, and our community, the City of Rising Sun, we’re very thankful that he became a part of our family for the last 21 years,” city employee Tammy Johns said.
He leaves behind his wife, Donna, and his children, Olivia and Drew, Eagle County Online reported.
“The support has been overwhelming and our family appreciates it,” Chief Hewitt’s widow wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. “Please please continue to pray for us and the community of Rising Sun. This hurts…”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Rising Sun Police Chief David Hewitt, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.