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At right, the late Jerry Lovitt inspects a restaurant during his time as the Nicholasville ABC officer. (Mike Moore/mmoore@jessaminejournal.com / May 29, 2012) |
Jerry Lovitt, 66, passed away Tuesday morning.
He wore many hats during his time in Jessamine County — lawman, mentor, protector — and, most importantly, friend.
Many have said they first met Lovitt when they were just kids and he was beginning a promising career as a Kentucky State Trooper.
“Jerry was a fine man and personal friend to the family,” Gary Goldey said. “He helped the city ofNicholasville and was an asset throughout the community and our state.”
Goldey said he met the Lovitt when he was 7 years old when his father was the deputy sheriff.
“He was a great individual,” Goldey said. “He possessed something you don't see much of these days — he was a very loyal friend.”
After a stint in theU.S. Army, Lovitt had a long career in law enforcement, moving from the Detroit Police Department into the Kentucky State Police (1969-1995) and then a four-year term as commissioner of KSP (1993-1995) from which he retired a colonel. Lovitt then spent five and a half years as Nicholasville’s general government director.
He was later appointed as the Nicholasville disaster emergency administrator and also the city’s alcoholic beverage control administrator by Mayor Russ Meyer on Jan. 10, 2011.
“Jerry Lovitt was a great man,” Barry Waldrop said. “I thought the world of him. This is going to be hard on every one. Jerry will be missed.”
Waldrop was also “just a kid” when he met Trooper Lovitt.
“He kept a close eye on all of us and kept us out of trouble,” Waldrop said.
Though Lovitt has passed his influence on the city will continue to be felt as he had a “very large impact” on Jessamine County, Waldrop said.
