Olympic Security Guard Jewell Dies

Aug 30, 09:01 AM

Current Headlines: By Harry Franklin, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Ga.

Aug. 30--Richard Jewell, a former security guard who was cleared by the FBI of involvement in the the deadly bombing at Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, died Wednesday at his home near Woodbury, Ga.

Jewell, a Meriwether County sheriff's deputy, was discovered on the floor of his bedroom by his wife, Dana Jewell, who came home from work between 9:30 and 10 a.m. to check on him when she couldn't get an answer on the home phone, said Meriwether County Sheriff Steve Whitlock. Jewell was 44.

An autopsy was scheduled for today, though Meriwether County Coroner Johnny Worley said foul play was not suspected.

Jewell, then a security guard, was investigated by the FBI in 1996 as a possible suspect in the bombing, which killed one woman and injured 111 others, but was ruled out as a suspect in October of that year. Anti-government extremist Eric Rudolph later was caught in North Carolina and pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the bombing. He is serving life in prison.

Jewell received an apology from then-Attorney Gen. Janet Reno for his treatment during the investigation. He was heralded as an unsung hero during a 2001 July 4 parade in Carmel, Ind., for helping people during the aftermath of the bombing. He was honored by a police group for "saving the lives of countless people" by his quick action in spotting a suspicious bag at the Olympic Park and assisting bombing victims.

Jewell sued several media companies, including NBC, and settled for undisclosed amounts with them. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution never settled a lawsuit Jewell filed against it.

Jewell settled lawsuits against CNN, the New York Post and Piedmont College, a former employer of his. The amounts were confidential, longtime Jewell attorney Lin Wood said.

Wood said Wednesday that the Journal-Constitution lawsuit is set for trial in January.

"I expect to pursue it for Richard and his estate," Wood said. "But that is a decision for a less sad day."

A lawyer for the newspaper, Peter Canfield, has said previously that the newspaper stands by its coverage of Jewell. Publisher John Mellott said Wednesday that Jewell was a hero "as we all came to learn." Mellott added: "The story of how Mr. Jewell moved from hero to suspect and back in the Olympic Park bombing investigation is one The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported fully even as it defended itself in a libel case brought by him." Mellott declined to comment on the lawsuit.

In Meriwether County, Whitlock said Jewell had worked for his department about 3 1/2 years as a road deputy.

"He did everything -- serve papers, work burglaries, do court services. You name it, he did it," Whitlock said. "If I had about 30 Richards, I'd have it made. He loved his job. He loved being a cop. We had no problems at all with him. He would show up early. He would stay late. Anything you asked Richard to do, he would do it. He was a dedicated officer to Meriwether County."

Jewell was suffering from a diabetic condition discovered early this year, the sheriff said, noting that Jewell's wife helped him lose weight after the diagnosis.

"He had taken medical leave earlier for about three weeks, came back and has been on leave a second time for about three weeks," the sheriff said.

Jewell married in 2001 to a woman who worked for the Meriwether County Department of Family and Children Services and they lived in a house off Ga. 85 between Woodbury and Warm Springs, Whitlock said.

"He was very active there," the sheriff said. "He had goats, chickens, rabbits and dogs. He was a super good person. He was a good friend."

Before the Olympic Games, he had worked six years as a security guard and five years as a jailer. He took a job as a police officer in Luthersville in 1997.

Jewell had no children. He was a member of Brookhaven Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Survivors include his wife and his mother, Barbara Jewell, of metro Atlanta. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Wood described Jewell as "a dedicated public servant whose heroism the night of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing saved the lives of many people."

"He will be missed, but never forgotten," Wood said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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