William Eugene Lewis, now 17 years of age, was sentenced on May 5 in Hanover Circuit Court to serve five years on charges stemming from an assault on a School Resource Officer that occurred on Sept. 12, 2008.

Lewis was charged with aggravated malicious wounding and disorderly conduct after assaulting the deputy assigned to Hanover High School as a School Resource Officer.

The case against Lewis, who was 16 years of age at the time of the assault, was transferred to adult court for prosecution.

Trip Chalkley, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Hanover County, responded to the sentencing by indicating that is was unfortunate “that such a rare act of violence occurred in one of our schools and that one of Hanover’s deputies was the subject of that act. However, I am thoroughly pleased with the investigation of the Sheriff’s Office and that an appropriately severe sentence was imposed by the court. While no criminal activity is to be condoned, it is most important that attacks on law enforcement personnel be dealt with promptly and appropriately, regardless of where that activity occurs.”

“The Sheriff’s Office is pleased with the efforts of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to ensure all necessary legal measures were taken to hold Mr. Lewis accountable for his violent actions. In addition, our Circuit Court judge has sent a very clear message to the community that attacks on law enforcement personnel will not be taken lightly. It is certainly a team approach to ensure our community remains safe”, said Col. V. Stuart Cook, Hanover County sheriff.
Lewis is currently incarcerated in Rappahannock Regional Jail awaiting placement in the Virginia Department of Corrections.