‘He was very passionate’: Hundreds attend prayer vigil honoring fallen Lake City police lieutenant

LAKE CITY, S.C. (WMBF) – A community came together Thursday night to honor a man who spent over two decades serving and protecting others.

Lake City police Lt. John Stewart was killed during a car chase that ended along North Matthews Road.

Stewart was known throughout the Lake City community and well-respected.

“John was a man that wore that badge with honor and integrity,” said Stewart’s sister, Diane Stewart, who got choked up talking about her little brother. “He was very passionate... he was always excited.”

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Hundreds of people were at the vigil at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park to pray for Stewart’s family and the Lake City community.

Lake City Police Chief Joseph Cooper thanked the community for its overwhelming support following Stewart’s death.

“Just over here standing to the side, and walking up her now, I don’t see color. I see a family of blue,” Cooper said.

Cooper said that Stewart was so respected that people he arrested had come to the police department to pay their respects to the fallen officer.

“The irony of it is, with a common name like John, that man was very unique. I’m telling you, if you met him, you would know him. There was nothing he wouldn’t try to do for you,” Cooper said.

Stewart’s funeral will be held Friday morning at the Florence Center and his final resting place will be at Florence National Cemetery.

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