Berkeley County, SC (WLTX, AP) - Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne DeWitt has resigned from office just over a month after he was arrested on drunk driving charges.
DeWitt submitted a letter confirming his decision Wednesday, stating that he decided to step down after doing some "private soul-searching."
"As an elected official, as Sheriff and as a person, I recognize that I must be held accountable," he wrote. "II can no longer be an effective public servant regardless of how the legal process unfolds."
State Troopers say DeWitt was drunk in his county-issued pickup when he rear-ended a car on Dec. 28 and drove away. He was pulled over and arrested a short time later. The Highway Patrol says DeWitt refused to take a breath test to determine his blood-alcohol level.
DeWitt was re-elected to a four-year term in November. He has not yet gone to trial on the charge.
Here is his full statement:
In my recent public statement I apologized for my well-publicized conduct of December 28, 2014. I reiterate how sorry I am for my actions and the poor choices I made.
Because of the magnitude of the decision and its implications I have taken some time to honestly assess the situation with the singular goal of "doing what is right and what is honorable". I have done much private soul searching.
In the end, I know and understand the entire situation is the product of my own failures. As an elected official, as Sheriff and as a person, I recognize that I must be held accountable. I have concluded that in light of the cloud on the Office of Sheriff of Berkeley County resulting from my conduct on December 28th, I can no longer be an effective public servant regardless of how the legal process unfolds.
I am convinced that the best way to begin to restore the public trust is for me to resign from the Office of Sheriff of Berkeley County. By letters to the appropriate officials I am tendering my resignation effective immediately.
I want to thank the citizens of Berkeley County for the honor of serving you as your Sheriff for many years.
