Thanks, Eddie

Over the last 25 years that I have spend in eastern North Carolina, and especially in Wayne and Johnston counties, I have come to know many men who have served our small towns as police chief. I rank Princeton Police Chief Eddie Lewis at the top of the list.
While there has been some controversy surrounding raises for the police department, that controversy may be seen as a lack of support for Eddie, whether intentional or not. I rise to say how much I support and appreciate him.
For most of that time, Eddie has served as a police officer in Pikeville, and in recent years in Princeton.
I’m afraid some may judge him too much by appearances. No, he is no slim, trim crime-fighting machine on the outside. When he speaks, he sounds more like the country boy he was raised to be, than the community-college law enforcement instructor that he is.
Eddie brings rather unique experiences and perspectives to the position. Princeton is fortunate to have him.
As one who was raised down the road in Pikeville, he understands the people of the area. He has enough perspective, still living in that direction, to maintain a professional attitude about the people and the area he serves.
His experience in Pikeville gives him an appreciation for the workings of a small town police department, and as former chief in Pikeville, the concerns of the town board he reports to.
He has heard enough people complain about taxes and utility rates to understand why the town board may have a hard time funding the requests that police departments make of town budgets. He understands that, though some would not.
Eddie’s got enough old farmer in him to keep equipment operating with bailing wire until the town budget can come through with money for a much-needed replacement. He understands that, though some would not.
He was around in a time when policemen weren't required to have formal training, but he believes in being properly trained to do the work.
While training has been an unexpected blessing for Eddie, opening a door for him to work at Wayne Community College and Johnston Community College as an instructor, it has also been a blessing for the town. It gives him an opportunity to come to know and even recruit prospective officers for the town.
More than that, it helps give him an even greater appreciation for the problems and concerns of a young officer, often on duty by themselves in the middle of the night, trying to offer protection for the sleeping citizens. I personally would like to have someone with a great appreciation for the problems that young officer will face, as their teacher and mentor.
He also understands the pitfalls for those same young officers, where they are likely to fall into bad habits, particularly without feedback and supervision that are often lacking in small town departments. I believe Eddie is doing a good job of trying to address those needs. He understands, while some would not.
Police officers are often targets for criticism. If they don’t recover your stolen property they are criticized. Some may criticize for “allowing” their stuff to be stolen in the first place. Some may see drugs as a police problem rather than a societal problem.
Others will criticize the police for too aggressively enforcing the law when they or theirs are arrested or cited.
I’m sure that Eddie Lewis is not perfect, but when you look at all of the good things he brings to law enforcement to the Town of Princeton, we are fortunate to have him as our police chief.
I know it’s regarded as a thankless job by many, but I’m one who will take the time to say “Thank you for all you do, Eddie.”