Lawrence sheriff’s deputy dies after extended illness

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA — Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe D. Wojtowicz, 60, died Saturday, Sept. 18, following complications from an extended illness, according to a release issued by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.

Lawrence County Sheriff Chuck Jackson said that Wojtowicz, who lived in Paintsville, was “a very private person and out of respect for his privacy and wishes, this will be the only release made by his office.”

Wojtowicz had over 30 years of law enforcement experience. He worked as a deputy in Taney County, Mo., Jefferson County and Martin County, and was a correctional officer in Jefferson County.

Wojtowicz joined the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office in 2019 as a sergeant, and his duties included transports, paper service, court security and grant writing.

“In addition to his years in law enforcement, Joe had many talents,” the release from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office said. “He was a Dove awarding winning song writer in Christian music and promoted UFC fights. He was a writer for Law & Order magazine. Joe also graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.”

Wojtowicz was also a “very giving person,” the release said.

“He started Mountain Care to help law enforcement families in need and also Blue Line to help other law enforcement agencies,” the release said. “Joe was a big supporter of the Sheriff’s Community Impact Program.”

Martin County Sheriff John Kirk also remembered Wojtowicz in a post on Facebook.

“We met Joe through Deputy Aaron Blevins a few years ago,” Kirk said. “Joe ran a nonprofit repairing police officers’ and veterans’ homes. He came to our area after retiring from Missouri and working many years with the Jefferson Co. Sheriff’s Office,” Kirk said. “Joe was a very humble and caring man who helped many. Joe volunteered for the Martin Co. Sheriff’s Office for a while and was a very pleasant man to be around. Joe settled in Paintsville and eventually joined the Lawrence Co. Sheriff Office. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Rest in Peace Joe. We love you.”

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office release said Wojtowicz is survived by “those he strived to care for the most, his brothers and sisters in blue across Kentucky and Southern West Virginia and the innumerable friends and colleagues who considered him family.”

Wojtowicz will be buried in his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.