Rising Sun Police Chief David Hewitt is being remembered for his deep love for his children and stepchildren and his passion for traditional bow hunting.
Hewitt died following a car accident on icy roads near Vevay, Ind., last week on his way to work.
Daughter Olivia Hewitt told the gathering inside the gymnasium at Rising Sun High School of how she'd forgotten her lunch that day and tried to call her father in hopes of meeting for lunch. He didn't answer.
"A week ago this morning our lives changed forever for the worse. Dad was a police officer, an outdoorsman, a leader, mentor and above all else he was my daddy," Olivia Hewitt said through tears.
Hewitt's stepson, Jake Taylor, spoke of how Hewitt brought joy again to his mother's life and was a "balancing force" in his life as well, always there when he lost his way.
Hewitt, 49, joined the department in 1998 and was named chief in 2004. Before that he served with the Switzerland County and Dearborn County sheriff's departments and the Lawrenceburg Police Department.
Friends say Hewitt could be found outdoors fishing and hunting in his spare time. He was particularly partial to traditional bow hunting and was a member of the Compton Traditional Bowhunters. He was set to become president of the organization in April.
His friend Kenny Davenport concluded: "When the flags get lowered to half-staff and the entire town turns out for your funeral and you need a gymnasium to accommodate your services; and when grown men are crying in their offices over your passing on to the next life, I'm pretty sure you lived the one you're leaving the right way."
