Lincoln County deputy is charged with DUI

What goes through people's minds? Vehicles are death machines when driven while under the influence of any meds, alcohol, etc.

Good job by RCSO and another example of how law enforcement does in fact police its own.

It sounds like they didn't have any choice, but to arrest him. Goodness, he was weaving all over with people calling and they find him parked on the highway. But I'd take a hard look at this incident. It could be he was totally unaware of the effect some kind of medicine may have on him. This does not appear to be the usual case of an impaired driver.

Good guy, stupid decision. I wish he could get a grip on his short comings. Asitisinaug, Don't think for 1 minute Law Enforcement police their own. I am sure if circumstances were different other arrangements may have been made. I wish Deputy Harwell well.

He is finished.

Wishing Harwell well, huh? Realistically: Best case scenario, he attends a rehab program, learns a new vocation, and moves on with his life. Worse case scenario, he develops an even worse drug problem, gets someone else killed, and possibly himself.

I only hope this story has a somewhat happy ending.

"Asitisinaug, Don't think for 1 minute Law Enforcement police their own."

For the most part, we do police our own. First and foremost, the law enforcement realm can be a very big cut throat kind of place. Not to mention, we (law enforcement) are held to higher moral standard of conduct 24/7. In essence, we are not allowed to make mistakes in any manner, shape, or form.

I do not excuse this Deputy's actions. He will get what he deserves, and then some. With that, I do think that the public has watched 1 too many episodes of The Shield, Law and Order, Third Watch, etc. Not all police officers are evil and deceitful people.

Yes, there are times in which police officers make stupid decisions. It happens! I think it has something to do with the fact that police officers are human beings as well, but that rumor has yet to be confirmed in the public's eyes.

No, but really; considering the resources we have, we do a pretty good job. Also, the fact that we (the police) have all taken an oath to protect the public, shows that we all have a concept of selfless service and character. In other words, what more can you ask of police officers then for them to agree to place the public's safety before their own? Really; how many other people do you know who would agree to gladly lay down their life for a complete stranger.

You know what? Although I disagree with some of the above mentioned comments, I would still gladly sacrifice my life if it would prevent harm to any of you.

Why, you may ask? It is my oath; my word; my sacred bond, and I will do whatever is necessary to fulfill my obligation!

Hey Lincoln County my son just got out of ASU needs a job.

Chuck, you need to get a grip on your Rx drug problem brother. Its going to destroy your life completely if you dont. You have a family man!!! Get some help, its out there, and people will be there to support you.

I do not justify this deputy actions of driving a patrol vehicle under the influence of prescription drugs. But his story needs to be told, this man was a law enforcement hero in Richmond County when he was a deputy there. He was assigned to the traffic division and I believe that his numbers of DUI arrest were very impressive, he was such an outstanding deputy that he rose to the rank of Sargent. I believe that as a result of injuries sustained to his back while serving the community, he had numerous back surgeries and as a result of such surgeries he had developed a dependency to prescription drugs. If this man would had received this types of injuries while serving in the military, he would have been compensated with benefits or place in a position where he could continue to serve the community. But local law enforcement agencies do not believe in such thing, if you no longer can performed they would get rid of you very quickly without taking into account your contributions to the community or the agency. I was very surprised to find out that he was continuing to work in the capacity of a road patrol deputy with another agency. This man needs help not his picture and name put in the media as some kind of out of control police officer. I was under his supervision when I was a deputy and I know what kind of person he is. Chuck, if you get to read this please seek help, and remember that there are many people out there that are willling to help.

Well said Tango 123!

If it were not for the posts of those of you who know this officer then I would have no clue about his situation. It sounds like a good man who needs help and I pray that he can find it and get his life back together. I know how horrible back pain can be and how easy it would be to get hooked on pills. My prayers to chuck and his family but we need to remember that while he was on the road lives were in danger and it could have been worse.

Great post TANGO. He is a good person.

I am so glad to see the post on here from people that know Chuck!!! He is a great guy that has been through alot of injury!!! I think of him as being a great friend and will pray for him and his family!! It saddens me to hear people talk so bad about him! If you knew the real Chuck Harwell you would be ashamed of yourself for speaking poorly of him!! Judge not lest ye be judged!!!!! We have all made bad decisions in our life, not just Chuck!!!

Chuck may well be a great guy, but he has no business in law enforcement if he still has an addiction to pain pills. How is he supposed to make rational decisions if he is under the influence? He needs to get help, stay sober for a reasonable amount of time, and then maybe he can return to work. Until then, POST needs to suspend his certification. This is the THIRD time. How many more chances does he need? The last 3 times, only he was affected. How many more chances do we give him until someone is hurt or killed because of the addiction. I agree with Woody...get some help Chuck. It's hard to kick the addiction, but for your well-being, you need to to it. Many people care about you.

And, I can't believe that our local resident know everything talk show host didn't know about Deputy Harwell's past history with RCSO and MCG. This information was reported right after the incident on someone's news website (I can't remember where I saw it, and that's immaterial, as I already knew). Usually he's more astute, and would have been on the horn trying to get any information he could. But, I guess since he's got ties to Lincoln County, he can't be too harsh on the Sheriff for hiring him.

fatboyhog,

Since you are handing out blame for Chuck Harwell's actions, I wish to jump on the band wagon and add a few names.

1st, let's start with, and I repeat; start with, richmond county sheriff's office. When Chuck was hurt on the job, and in the line of duty, this became RCSO's problem. RCSO has many things to answer for. For example:

When did they find out that he had a problem? (I think they knew, but said nothing)

Did they offer him assistance through Richmond County's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to try and kick his addiction? (I think no)

Did his Supervisor at RCSO ever try and provide Chuck any help? (I do not know)

When Chuck was allowed to resign in Lieu of Termination at RCSO; did post conduct an inquiry? (I believe he was placed on probation; however, a thorough inquiry was never conducted)

In the end, RCSO knew that Chuck had a problem, and rather then deal with that problem and provide Chuck with assistance, they threw Chuck flat on his butt, and made him someone else's problem.

Next, let's move onto Lincoln County Sheriff's Office:

Did they know, that he had a drug problem? I don't know either, but it seems like he would had to complete a urinalysis before working at LCSO.

They should have investigated why he had pain killers in his system.

Where RCSO failed, LCSO should have prevailed and finally helped Chuck!

FATBOYHOG...I had Sheriff Lawson on for 20 minutes yesterday discussing the whole thing. Where were you? OH...and I came here to answer your question...I don't discuss breaking news on these pages anymore, the AC won't let me.

...and according to Sheriff Lawson...Harwell's application said he was terminated from RCSO because he filed a workman's comp claim...Sheriff Lawson said he had never been told his POST certification was under review or any kind of suspension.

THREE agencies hired Harwell while all this was going on...MCG, Lincolnton City, and LCSO.

When applying for a job in law enforcement, any one with computer access can check the applicants SS# to ascertain if there is any "past POST inquiries".....Not knowing or saying that "they did not know" is no excuse....

Yep...but if the info is posted AFTER a person is hired, which is what happened here according to POST Director Ken Vance, then you are S.O.L.

There should be an AGGRESSIVE notification system in place...certified letters...direct conversation...etc.

So true Austin, but agencies have access instantly and check routinely officers required training hours (20) annually to include firearms and deadly force, Radar and Intox 5000 recertification dates, so since the date of the POST record being Posted on his record, please don't tell me, no one at LCP or LCSO saw this on those records. And when as you said, Harwell said on his application, he was fired at RCSO for filing workers comp. claim. REDLIGHT, sirens and flashers should have went off. A check of what the comp. claim concerned should have been checked, you don't want a physically or mentally problemed officer carrying a gun or driving a patrol car. Someone other than the state dropped the ball on this.

Just in,all guility DUI offenders are requesting a new trial. ACLU is asking a jurist and District Attorney Dennis Sanders,from Thomson, to review all DUI arrested citation issued by this deputy.

In my opinion our local radio talker has done a great job spinning this entire incident to Sheriff Lawson's benefit. The truth of the matter is that it, that it is a sad commentary when the top law enforcement officer/investigator reports to have no knowledge that this officer may have a problem when almost everybody else who came in to contact with him was aware an elephant was in the room.

Also a lot has been made of "doing due diligence" in hiring. It appears to me that due diligence would include contacting those agencies where the guy had worked to find out what happened with his employment.

What about due diligence in employment? I heard Lawson skirt the issue of drug testing of his employees on the radio show, saying they have that available to them. In around two two years this man worked for LCSD it appears he was never tested.

Computers, the internet, ATM's down the street aside, does any body reasonably believe that the Sheriff of Lincoln County is so out of touch that bells don't go off when a part time deputy who works full time at MCG (state pay, retirement, benefits, etc.) choose to leave and come to work full time at a small (low pay, costly insurance, minimal benefit) county position?

In my opinion it also doesn't say much about the much reported credentials of the chief deputy of LCSD if in two years he was not able to suspect that this man may have some hint of a problem.

Hopefully this guy will now get some help is he has a problem.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO DROP THIS CONVERSATION AND GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES !!!!! STOP MAKIN A BIG DEAL ABOUT THIS !!! YALL NEED TO GET YOUR FREAKING FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND COMMENT ON THIS STOP MAKING THIS A BIG DEAL !!! YOU CANT ALWAYS BELIEVE WHAT THE NEWS SAYS!!!! SO WATCH IT !! THIS GOES FOR EVERYONE !!!!!

Now that should set everyone straight!

KBIRDIX,

I think that some legitimate questions were asked here. About half of them related to finding out why Harwell wasn't provided much needed help when he was at RCSO, and the other half related to why none of the agencies after RCSO did not take the steps to properly check Harwell out. I think we all understand that Harwell is a good guy, and was probably an outstanding law enforcement officer. It just seems unlikely that a law enforcement officer could go so long with a major drug problem, and not be noticed.

So, Kbird, a sheriff hires a former long time RCSO deputy who as Austin says, lied on his application by saying he was fired after filing a workers compensation claim. WARNING: Extreme Caution- Thoroughly, completely do the background even though he still worked at MCG when he was hired as part time on 12/7/07 by LCSO. We move forward to August 2008, Harwell is moved to full time to replace another deputy fired for violating an order etc. , No POST record check as a followup which would have shown the OPEN CASE INVESTIGATION, From August 2008 until May 21, 2011, Mr. Rhodes believes the LCSO failed to see Harwell's records despite many indicators and that ( POST INVESTIGATION)Sheriff was suprised to see it on the news. I guess he didn't notice Harwell's extreme weight loss and cough over the recent months. And I agree, how could he go that long and not be noticed. Deniability is the sheriff's only out with the pending liability in the legal action being pursued by the family of an individual killed during a December 2008 crash while Harwell was in Pursuit.
By the way, Harwell's POST records shows him terminated as of 05/23/2011, while he is on medical leave, ummm hmmm.

KBIRDIX watch what?