WINDSOR – His life was cut too short, but his memory will last a lifetime.

Nearly one year has passed since Thomas Carrell Lewis of Windsor was murdered. The young and energetic Bertie County law enforcement officer, age 24 at the time of his tragic death, died May 1, 2004 from multiple stab wounds received during an altercation in Orange County. He was off-duty and visiting with friends in the Chapel Hill area at that time.

Lewis served as a police officer with the Windsor Police Department, a deputy with the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office and as an agent with the Roanoke-Chowan Narcotics Task Force.

In his honor, the Thomas Carrell Lewis Memorial Scholarship has been established. That scholarship will be awarded annually in the amount of $1,000. It will enable a young man or woman in fulfilling their dream of becoming a public servant by enrolling in the Basic Law Enforcement Training program at Martin Community College in Williamston.

In return, the award recipient, upon graduation from the program, will agree to serve at least two years with a law enforcement agency in Bertie County.

&uot;There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of Thomas and how his bright future was cut way too short,&uot; said Bertie Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Frank Timberlake, who is serving as Chairman of the Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee.

Timberlake continued, &uot;Thomas was a great young man. He was energetic and dedicated. He had all the markings of becoming a crackerjack law enforcement officer, but it was his smile and his caring nature that I’ve miss the most. You could be having a terrible day and then go spend about five or ten minutes with Thomas and he would have you smiling and feeling better about yourself.&uot;

Timberlake said the scholarship would hopefully inspire a young person to launch a career in law enforcement.

Nancy Harden, treasurer of the Scholarship Committee, stated that donations are currently being accepted. She said all donations, no matter of their size, will be greatly appreciated. Receipts of donations will be given or mailed to each individual, church or business.

Checks need to be made payable to the Thomas C. Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O 1020 US 17 North, Windsor, NC, 27983.

Perspective applicants for the program may pick up a scholarship application at the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office between the hours 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Joining Timberlake and Harden on the Scholarship Committee are Bertie Sheriff Greg Atkins, Bertie Narcotics Detective Kenny Gilliam, Detective Herman Purvis Jr. of the Windsor Police Department, Larry Boyd, the director of Martin Community College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program, Bertie County Commissioner Norman Cherry Sr., Lois Jernigan, a Bertie resident who serves as secretary of the committee, and Lewis’ parents, Milliard and Alice Lewis.