A fitting tribute for public servant Cam Lewis

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former West Virginia Parkways Authority member Cam Lewis was a big supporter of the State Police especially State Troopers who worked the West Virginia Turnpike. That’s why his friends and family members said it was fitting Thursday to name the new State Police Turnpike Detachment in Kanawha County in his honor.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, State Police Superintendent Col. Jay Smithers were among those on hand for the ceremony along the MacCorkle Ave. exit. Members of Lewis’ family received plaques to mark the occasion.

Lewis, 70, died in March following a sudden illness. The Daniels resident spent most of his working career with the state Department of Transportation. The last part of that career heading up the department’s enforcement division.

Lewis’ son, Cam Lewis III, traveled to Thursday’s ceremony from his home in Texas. He said his father loved serving on the Parkways Authority.

“It’s a big honor. My dad did a lot for the state. I’m sure he’d be very honored and proud to be receiving this,” Lewis said.

Col. Smithers told MetroNews Lewis was one of the first to welcome him as a young trooper to the Beckley detachment years ago.

“We instantly became friends and his daughter and my daughter went to school together and room mated together at Marshall University,” Col. Smithers said. “This is a very happy moment for me personally.”

Smithers said Lewis had a “magical personality” and was a dedicated public servant.

“If Cam was in the project he would make it happen. He was so convincing because he was knowledgeable about everything he did. He was truly inspired to do the right thing and that’s what it takes to be successful,” Smithers said.

Lewis became a member of the Parkways Authority, which oversees the West Virginia Turnpike, in 2006. Authority General Manager Greg Barr said Lewis eventually became vice-chairman.

“He was very quick-witted. He would joke around before the meeting but when the meeting started he was all business,” Barr said.

Fellow Parkways member Bill Seaver said he and Lewis played off one another.

“We had good times doing that. I certainly miss him. You have to have a sense of humor if you are going to serve on this,” Seaver said. “He took it very serious but he could always loosen up a tense situation. That’s a good trait to have.”

The 22-hundred square foot detachment dedicated Thursday replaces a building constructed not long after the Turnpike was completed in the 1950s. Col. Smithers said it will aid the 28 Troopers who work the Turnpike.

“We’re always needing a place to interview people and do the amounts of paperwork troopers have to do. A place to search vehicles when needed,” Col. Smithers said.

Gov. Tomblin said Lewis was like a lot of other board and commission members in West Virginia who volunteer their time to serve the state.

“They give back to their state, to their community,” Tomblin said. “Cam was one of those people that remained active right up until his death.”

 





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