BERKELEY COUNTY: Former Berkeley County Sheriff Raymond O. Isgett, 57, died Thursday after a long battle with cancer.
Isgett, an Effingham native, was a career law enforcement officer who distinguished himself many times in the line of duty.
Known for his appreciation for pomp and ceremony, Isgett often wore a dress uniform bedecked with medals and general's stars. A well-known photograph of Isgett shows him leaning down from the saddle of a horse in a parade to speak to a girl. The picture hung in the main hallway of the sheriff's office during his tenure, and now holds a prominent place in his Summerville home.
In keeping with his style, Isgett wore on a chain around his neck the .38-caliber slug that grazed his temple during a 1974 attempt on his life while he was a drug investigator with the Sumter Police Department.
Isgett served there for 10 years and was remembered fondly by his former chief, Les Griffin.
"Ray was an outstanding police officer in Sumter and also in Berkeley County, and law enforcement will certainly miss his expertise," Griffin said. Isgett took risks more than once during his career.
He once went unarmed into a trailer where a suspect had barricaded himself during a standoff with police. At the time, Isgett was recovering from surgery but persuaded the man to surrender peacefully.
Isgett later said he had called upon a higher power - the faith in his three black belts in martial arts.
After the attempt on his life, Isgett left narcotics work and the Sumter Police Department for crime prevention at the state level.
In 1979, Governor James B. Edwards asked Isgett to form the first statewide crime prevention program. The program was a model for subsequent crime prevention efforts and became the hallmark of Isgett's career.
In 1982, he went to the SCANA Corp. as a security consultant and remained there for eight years. In 1990, Isgett won the sheriff's race in Berkeley County and served for four years before losing his re- election bid to current Sheriff Wayne DeWitt.
"Since the election, we've spoken many times and become good friends. I found him to be a person who truly had Berkeley County's interests at heart," DeWitt said.
Isgett earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Palmer College and a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina. He received postgraduate degrees from Florida State and the University of Louisville.
His awards included being named 1974 Sumter Police Officer of the Year and the American Legion Bravery Award.
Isgett was an ordained minister with the Southern Baptist Church and a martial arts master.
He was an active member in a number of crime prevention organizations, civic clubs and community and law enforcement associations. He served in the Air Force and S.C. National Guard.
Isgett's son, Buddy Isgett, said late Thursday that Isgett's family and friends lost a great man.
"Ray Isgett dedicated his life to serving the people of South Carolina. He strived to set a good Christian example as a Baptist minister, law enforcement officer and most of all, a husband, a father and a friend to all," the son said.
Surviving are his wife Carol Jean Isgett of Summerville; a brother, Harold E. Isgett of Hanahan; a daughter, Vicky Saia of Germany; two sons, El Rey "Buddy" Isgett of Summerville and Daniel Isgett of Goose Creek; and five grandchildren.
Dyal Funeral Home in Summerville is handling the arrangements.
--Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) - November 15, 1996, - contributed by A. Newell.
Isgett, an Effingham native, was a career law enforcement officer who distinguished himself many times in the line of duty.
Known for his appreciation for pomp and ceremony, Isgett often wore a dress uniform bedecked with medals and general's stars. A well-known photograph of Isgett shows him leaning down from the saddle of a horse in a parade to speak to a girl. The picture hung in the main hallway of the sheriff's office during his tenure, and now holds a prominent place in his Summerville home.
In keeping with his style, Isgett wore on a chain around his neck the .38-caliber slug that grazed his temple during a 1974 attempt on his life while he was a drug investigator with the Sumter Police Department.
Isgett served there for 10 years and was remembered fondly by his former chief, Les Griffin.
"Ray was an outstanding police officer in Sumter and also in Berkeley County, and law enforcement will certainly miss his expertise," Griffin said. Isgett took risks more than once during his career.
He once went unarmed into a trailer where a suspect had barricaded himself during a standoff with police. At the time, Isgett was recovering from surgery but persuaded the man to surrender peacefully.
Isgett later said he had called upon a higher power - the faith in his three black belts in martial arts.
After the attempt on his life, Isgett left narcotics work and the Sumter Police Department for crime prevention at the state level.
In 1979, Governor James B. Edwards asked Isgett to form the first statewide crime prevention program. The program was a model for subsequent crime prevention efforts and became the hallmark of Isgett's career.
In 1982, he went to the SCANA Corp. as a security consultant and remained there for eight years. In 1990, Isgett won the sheriff's race in Berkeley County and served for four years before losing his re- election bid to current Sheriff Wayne DeWitt.
"Since the election, we've spoken many times and become good friends. I found him to be a person who truly had Berkeley County's interests at heart," DeWitt said.
Isgett earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Palmer College and a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina. He received postgraduate degrees from Florida State and the University of Louisville.
His awards included being named 1974 Sumter Police Officer of the Year and the American Legion Bravery Award.
Isgett was an ordained minister with the Southern Baptist Church and a martial arts master.
He was an active member in a number of crime prevention organizations, civic clubs and community and law enforcement associations. He served in the Air Force and S.C. National Guard.
Isgett's son, Buddy Isgett, said late Thursday that Isgett's family and friends lost a great man.
"Ray Isgett dedicated his life to serving the people of South Carolina. He strived to set a good Christian example as a Baptist minister, law enforcement officer and most of all, a husband, a father and a friend to all," the son said.
Surviving are his wife Carol Jean Isgett of Summerville; a brother, Harold E. Isgett of Hanahan; a daughter, Vicky Saia of Germany; two sons, El Rey "Buddy" Isgett of Summerville and Daniel Isgett of Goose Creek; and five grandchildren.
Dyal Funeral Home in Summerville is handling the arrangements.
--Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) - November 15, 1996, - contributed by A. Newell.
BERKELEY COUNTY: Former Berkeley County Sheriff Raymond O. Isgett, 57, died Thursday after a long battle with cancer.
Isgett, an Effingham native, was a career law enforcement officer who distinguished himself many times in the line of duty.
Known for his appreciation for pomp and ceremony, Isgett often wore a dress uniform bedecked with medals and general's stars. A well-known photograph of Isgett shows him leaning down from the saddle of a horse in a parade to speak to a girl. The picture hung in the main hallway of the sheriff's office during his tenure, and now holds a prominent place in his Summerville home.
In keeping with his style, Isgett wore on a chain around his neck the .38-caliber slug that grazed his temple during a 1974 attempt on his life while he was a drug investigator with the Sumter Police Department.
Isgett served there for 10 years and was remembered fondly by his former chief, Les Griffin.
"Ray was an outstanding police officer in Sumter and also in Berkeley County, and law enforcement will certainly miss his expertise," Griffin said. Isgett took risks more than once during his career.
He once went unarmed into a trailer where a suspect had barricaded himself during a standoff with police. At the time, Isgett was recovering from surgery but persuaded the man to surrender peacefully.
Isgett later said he had called upon a higher power - the faith in his three black belts in martial arts.
After the attempt on his life, Isgett left narcotics work and the Sumter Police Department for crime prevention at the state level.
In 1979, Governor James B. Edwards asked Isgett to form the first statewide crime prevention program. The program was a model for subsequent crime prevention efforts and became the hallmark of Isgett's career.
In 1982, he went to the SCANA Corp. as a security consultant and remained there for eight years. In 1990, Isgett won the sheriff's race in Berkeley County and served for four years before losing his re- election bid to current Sheriff Wayne DeWitt.
"Since the election, we've spoken many times and become good friends. I found him to be a person who truly had Berkeley County's interests at heart," DeWitt said.
Isgett earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Palmer College and a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina. He received postgraduate degrees from Florida State and the University of Louisville.
His awards included being named 1974 Sumter Police Officer of the Year and the American Legion Bravery Award.
Isgett was an ordained minister with the Southern Baptist Church and a martial arts master.
He was an active member in a number of crime prevention organizations, civic clubs and community and law enforcement associations. He served in the Air Force and S.C. National Guard.
Isgett's son, Buddy Isgett, said late Thursday that Isgett's family and friends lost a great man.
"Ray Isgett dedicated his life to serving the people of South Carolina. He strived to set a good Christian example as a Baptist minister, law enforcement officer and most of all, a husband, a father and a friend to all," the son said.
Surviving are his wife Carol Jean Isgett of Summerville; a brother, Harold E. Isgett of Hanahan; a daughter, Vicky Saia of Germany; two sons, El Rey "Buddy" Isgett of Summerville and Daniel Isgett of Goose Creek; and five grandchildren.
Dyal Funeral Home in Summerville is handling the arrangements.
--Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) - November 15, 1996, - contributed by A. Newell.
Isgett, an Effingham native, was a career law enforcement officer who distinguished himself many times in the line of duty.
Known for his appreciation for pomp and ceremony, Isgett often wore a dress uniform bedecked with medals and general's stars. A well-known photograph of Isgett shows him leaning down from the saddle of a horse in a parade to speak to a girl. The picture hung in the main hallway of the sheriff's office during his tenure, and now holds a prominent place in his Summerville home.
In keeping with his style, Isgett wore on a chain around his neck the .38-caliber slug that grazed his temple during a 1974 attempt on his life while he was a drug investigator with the Sumter Police Department.
Isgett served there for 10 years and was remembered fondly by his former chief, Les Griffin.
"Ray was an outstanding police officer in Sumter and also in Berkeley County, and law enforcement will certainly miss his expertise," Griffin said. Isgett took risks more than once during his career.
He once went unarmed into a trailer where a suspect had barricaded himself during a standoff with police. At the time, Isgett was recovering from surgery but persuaded the man to surrender peacefully.
Isgett later said he had called upon a higher power - the faith in his three black belts in martial arts.
After the attempt on his life, Isgett left narcotics work and the Sumter Police Department for crime prevention at the state level.
In 1979, Governor James B. Edwards asked Isgett to form the first statewide crime prevention program. The program was a model for subsequent crime prevention efforts and became the hallmark of Isgett's career.
In 1982, he went to the SCANA Corp. as a security consultant and remained there for eight years. In 1990, Isgett won the sheriff's race in Berkeley County and served for four years before losing his re- election bid to current Sheriff Wayne DeWitt.
"Since the election, we've spoken many times and become good friends. I found him to be a person who truly had Berkeley County's interests at heart," DeWitt said.
Isgett earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Palmer College and a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina. He received postgraduate degrees from Florida State and the University of Louisville.
His awards included being named 1974 Sumter Police Officer of the Year and the American Legion Bravery Award.
Isgett was an ordained minister with the Southern Baptist Church and a martial arts master.
He was an active member in a number of crime prevention organizations, civic clubs and community and law enforcement associations. He served in the Air Force and S.C. National Guard.
Isgett's son, Buddy Isgett, said late Thursday that Isgett's family and friends lost a great man.
"Ray Isgett dedicated his life to serving the people of South Carolina. He strived to set a good Christian example as a Baptist minister, law enforcement officer and most of all, a husband, a father and a friend to all," the son said.
Surviving are his wife Carol Jean Isgett of Summerville; a brother, Harold E. Isgett of Hanahan; a daughter, Vicky Saia of Germany; two sons, El Rey "Buddy" Isgett of Summerville and Daniel Isgett of Goose Creek; and five grandchildren.
Dyal Funeral Home in Summerville is handling the arrangements.
--Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) - November 15, 1996, - contributed by A. Newell.
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