Olympic Bombing Suspect Dies

[Lenny]

Richard Jewell, the man suspected of the Olympic Bombing in Atlanta's Centennial Park and later exonerated has died of complications from diabetes at age 44. The real bomber admitted to the act but Richard Jewell never recovered from the effects on his life of being suspected and FBI investigations.

May this innocent man now find the peace he did not find here on earth.

[Fran Gyomory]

God rest his soul. He really got messed up by poor police work. The poor guy never had a chance to get his life back. He was always suspected even though exonerated.

[Deleted]

Richard Jewell found dead in home

Olympic security guard suspected but cleared in bombing

By MIKE MORRIS, JEFFRY SCOTT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/29/07

Richard Jewell, the former security guard once suspected of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing — then cleared — died at his home Wednesday morning in Woodbury.

***For the past three years, Jewell, 44, worked as a deputy sheriff for the Meriwether County Sheriff's department, said Sheriff Steve Whitlock. He said Jewell had been out on medical leave.***

Meriwhether County coroner Johnny Worley said Jewell's wife, Dana, discovered him unconscious at about 10:30 a.m. Worley said an autopsy would be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investiation to determine how Jewell died, but there was "no suspicion of foul play.

***"He had been having some pretty serious medical problems," Worley said.

He said Jewell had been diagnosed with diabetes in February and had a couple of toes amputated. "He had been going downhill ever since," Worley said.

Whitlock described Jewell as "a good officer. A go-getter."

"You know how they say people live their work. Richard ate and drank his job. He loved it," Whitlock said.***

Jewell was initially lauded as a hero after a bomb went off on July 27, 1996, during an Olympic celebration in Atlanta. He called attention to the suspicious knapsack that held a bomb and helped evacuate the area.

Days later, he became the FBI's chief suspect, as The Atlanta Journal Constitution and other media outlets reported. The FBI cleared Jewell of any wrongdoing. He was never charged with a crime.

Eric Robert Rudolph pleaded guilty to the bombing in 2005 and is serving life in prison for it and other attacks.

After he was cleared, Jewell sued the AJC and other media outlets for libel, arguing that their reports defamed him. Several news organizations settled, including NBC and CNN.

The Journal-Constitution did not settle. The newspaper has contended that at the time it published its reports Jewell was a suspect, so the articles were accurate. The newspaper also has asserted that it was not reckless or malicious in its reports regarding Jewell. Much of Jewell's case was dismissed last year. One claim, based on reports about a 911 call, is pending trial.

However, Jewell's death Wednesday "is not a day to consider lawsuits, rather a day to pay respect," said John Mellott, AJC publisher.

***"Richard Jewell was a hero, as we all came to learn," Mellott said. "The story of how Mr. Jewell moved from a suspect in the Centennial Park bombing to recognition as a security guard who averted a greater tragedy is one The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported fully even as it defended itself in a libel suit brought by him."

A year ago this month, Jewell was commended by Gov. Sonny Perdue at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the bombing.

***"The bottom line is this: His actions saved lives that day," said Perdue. "Mr. Jewell, on behalf of Georgia, we want to thank you for keeping Georgians safe and doing your job during the course of those Games."

***Jewell, his voice choked with emotion, responded:

***"I never sought to be a hero. I have always viewed myself as just one of the many trained professionals who simply did his or her job that tragic night. I wish I could have done more."***

— Reporter Rhonda Cook contributed to this article.

***
FAREWELL DEPUTY SHERIFF RICHARD JEWELL, YOU WERE A HERO IN THE TRUEST SENSE OF THE WORD.

R.I.P. BROTHER OFFICER, I ONLY HOPE 5,000 OFF DUTY COPS AND SHERIFFS DEPUTYS SHOW UP TO HONOR YOU.

THE LOCAL POLICE AND ESPECIALLY THE F.B.I. REALLY RUINED YOU AND YOUR MOM, FOR THAT WE ALL APOLIGIZE.

GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL.
GOD BLESS YOUR WIFE.

JIMMY AND JEANNIE