A Hall County deputy sheriff who practiced “Andy Griffith law” was honored Thursday, the first day of his retirement.
Sgt. Calvin Stewart, perhaps better known as Calvin on Patrol (COP) spent many years serving the people of Hall County and is well known for the messages he left residents and businesses on Post-it Notes.
While he worked throughout the county, perhaps nowhere was COP more loved than in Clermont and Lula, where his special brand of enforcement fit with the slower pace of life.
“Yesterday was a sad day in my life,” Stewart said. “I truly miss my duties. I miss helping people. I say I'm in the helping people business. And I really mean that. I don't write many tickets. I practice what I call Andy Griffith law. And I try to provide safety and security to people in our community and make friends for the Hall County Sheriff's Department.”
Jo Carroll of Clermont said she would not have missed the opportunity to honor Stewart on his retirement.
“I love him to death,” Carroll said. “He is a very, very nice gentleman. He cares about people. He will talk to you and show you that he cares. And he does his job real well. I'm going to miss him very bad, but he told me he would come by and see me every now and then and put a little sticker on my mailbox like the always has. He is so precious and the best lawman that I've ever known.”
In addition to being honored by Clermont Mayor James Nix, Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch, and other local officials, Stewart received messages from Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr commending him for his service.
Couch said Stewart is irreplaceable.
“I was telling somebody earlier we might be able to replace somebody in his position, but it will never replace him as a person,” Couch said. “He's a true public servant – always has been. He's been serving this state in his community since 1974. That's just phenomenal. And when I saw his retirement letter come through, I was proud for him, but it made me sad at the same time, because I said, ‘How in the world do I replace Calvin Stewart’? So, you don't. He's just a truly a great man, a great public servant. He's got a servant's heart. And I think the world of him. I'm proud to call him my friend.”
Outside the retirement reception, the Ford Crown Victoria patrol car Stewart formerly drove was covered with Post-it Notes thanking him for his contributions to the community and expressing well wishes for his retirement.
Lula City Manager Dennis Bergin said there will never be another like Stewart.
“I'll tell you there'll be no one else ever like Calvin Stewart,” Bergin said. “He’s a patriot, strong in his faith, compassionate, understanding, constitutional scholar – you name it, he fits the bill – and 48 years of service. I mean, how commendable is that?”
