New Ellenton Community Family Loses One Of Their Own

New Ellenton, SC—Thursday, New Ellenton showed its grief for Police Chief Johnny Hamilton.

L.C. Greene, New Ellenton City Administrator: “Johnny is probably one…probably one of the best.“

He was known for his gruff demeanor, and a soft heart.

Lt. Bill Cook, New Ellenton Police Department: “He would do anything he could for the community. A lot of people didn’t like his tactics, but he was always trying to improve the community.“

Wednesday, Chief Hamilton and a friend went to Columbia. On the way back, authorities say his police car was hit by a truck in Perry, SC. The chief was killed, and his passenger injured. Officers say Chief Hamilton was not wearing his seatbelt.

Donald Perry, New Ellenton Recreation Department: “I know it was reported that he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, and he failed to yield the right of way. Let’s not let that tarnish the man that he was.“

Cook: “Around Christmas time, or the parades, he’d make sure everybody had candy. On Halloween, he’d make sure we’d have candy in the patrol car so we could give it to the kids.“

It wasn’t just the people who worked with him who say they’ll miss him…it’s also people in his community.

Ben Perry, New Ellenton resident: “Yeah, he was in the community, he didn’t harass us or anything. He’d ride by, check on things. Plenty of times we’d be out here in this yard, he’d stop and we’d just talk, you know, have a conversation, he’d laugh and go about his business.“

Greene: “If a citizen had a problem, they could come talk to Johnny.”

Donald Perry: “As Michael Frank was to the County, Chief Hamilton was to New Ellenton.“

Lt. Cook: “He was just a good guy.”

Donald Perry: “I definitely going to miss him.“

Greene: “It will be very hard to replace him.”

Lt. Cook: “We’re going to do our jobs. That’s what he would want. He would want us to go and do our jobs as we need to.“

Chief Hamilton is survived by two brothers and a sister.

We have reciveed funeral details for Chief Johnny M. Hamilton. They are below:

Arrangements are under the direction of Posey Funeral Directors, in North Augusta.

Visitation: Sunday afternoon (Feb. 1, 2009) from 3 until 5 at Posey Funeral Directors, 1307 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC

Funeral Service: Millbrook Baptist Church, Aiken, SC Monday (Feb. 2) at 2pm

Interment: will be private

Service Details, an online registry and directions to the service are available at PoseyFuneralHome.com