• Former Highway Patrol trooper succeeds Bill Ingram, who resigned after not fulfilling obligation to move to Columbus County.

By BOB HIGH
Staff Writer

A very pleased Chris Batten announced Thursday the promotion of Lewis Hatcher, a former Highway Patrol trooper, to be the sheriff’s right-hand man and fill the position of chief deputy.

“I met him in 1978 when I was in Clarkton High School. He was a town policeman there, and he was always at football and basketball games,” Batten said of the 52-year-old Hatcher.
“I never spoke to him that he wasn’t polite. Even the stress of the Highway Patrol didn’t change him. He always treats everyone the same, and that’s one of the greatest things I admire about him,” the sheriff pointed out.

Hatcher replaces John William “Bill” Ingram, who resigned as chief deputy after not fulfilling Batten’s requirement that he become a resident of Columbus County within a year of taking the post.

Accessible

“I gave Bill 12 months to move into the county. It’s my policy. I feel a person answering for me should be just as accessible to the people of Columbus County as I am.

“Bill said in his letter of resignation that he was unable to fulfill the obligation to move to Columbus County from his home in Brunswick County,” Batten noted.

“He lived closer to this sheriff’s office (one mile from Juniper Creek inside Brunswick County) than one of my deputies in the Delco area, but he didn’t live in this county, and that’s what he had to do,” the sheriff explained.

Ingram came to this county’s sheriff’s office three years ago as head of the drug unit, and became chief deputy in 2006.

Batten also pointed out that the fact Ingram – who spent several years working for Brunswick County Sheriff Ron Hewett – is one of the people subpoenaed to a federal grand jury in an investigation of Hewett had nothing to do with Ingram’s resignation.

Hatcher’s background

“I had no concern about that separate investigation. That had no bearing on his decision to resign or mine to accept it,” Batten stated.

Hatcher doesn’t have to move anywhere. He and his wife, Doris Kemp Hatcher of Clarkton, live in the Western Prong area. They have two children. James works in construction and Deana is employed with Columbus County’s Department of Social Services.

And, the beaming Hatcher added, there are two grandchildren – Deana Marie, 6, and Casey, a 1-year-old.

“I certainly appreciate the sheriff’s confidence in me. I was surprised and pleased at the opportunity,” the affable Hatcher said.

“I wasn’t sure what he was going to do. It took a week for him to give me his answer after I offered him the position,” Batten laughed.
Time to each other

“Giving his time to me as chief deputy allows me to spend more time with my family. He’s giving his time to me, and I’m going to give mine to him, because he also has family responsibilities,” the sheriff noted.

“I’ve learned a lot through my years in law enforcement, but I realize there’s more that I’m required to know to be able to answer questions and make decisions,” Hatcher declared.

“I will apply all I’ve learned, and continue to add to my knowledge in this new position,” the new chief deputy added.

Hatcher began working for Batten in March 2006 – less than 60 days after retiring from the Highway Patrol – as chief bailiff, replacing the retired Howard Turbeville.

Hatcher became a lieutenant in the patrol division in January of this year as the sheriff reshuffled his top staff members. Hatcher spent two years as a Clarkton policeman, and then became a Bladen County sheriff’s deputy for four years.

The new chief deputy, a native of the Clarkton area of Bladen County, joined the Highway Patrol in 1983, and spent most of his time in Columbus County, with other assignments including duty in Burlington and Greensboro.

Hatcher’s brother, Roy, is the maintenance supervisor for Batten’s department.