Friends, legislative colleagues mourn Tennessee state lawmaker

KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- State Rep. Keith Westmoreland, who took his life last week, was remembered Sunday as a compassionate friend, colleague and public servant.

"Keith's sudden, tragic death has been a shock to everyone," the Rev. Mark Knisley told an overflow crowd estimated at more than 500 at a memorial service at First Broad Street United Methodist Church.

"God alone will judge, and God knew Keith's heart and anguish," he said. "So please don't waste precious spiritual energy on fallible human speculation now or even in the future.

"Keith was a man who dared enough to lead. He was a man who cared enough to lead. ... Celebrate the life and Keith's life of dedicated service."

Westmoreland, 55, fatally shot himself at his Kingsport home on Wednesday just days after allegations surfaced that he exposed himself to three teenage girls at a Florida hotel, and just hours after Nashville police announced he was investigated in March for similar incidents in Nashville.

More than 50 members of the General Assembly attended the service, along with Gov. Don Sundquist, who escorted former U.S. Rep. James Quillen. All members of the Legislature were honorary pallbearers.

Public service

A 10-year veteran of the Legislature, Westmoreland, a Republican, had a long record of public service.

He was Sullivan County executive and chief sheriff's deputy before being elected to the House in 1992. He had no opposition for re-election this fall.

House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, delivered the eulogy, saying Westmoreland's party affiliation made no difference.

"Party politics were irrelevant with Keith," Naifeh said. "He disliked labels and preferred to be known as an individual."

Naifeh said Westmoreland "was a wise and compassionate person, (with) ... a head full of common sense and the strength of character to speak his mind."

The speaker said Westmoreland was responsible for a law creating a statewide database on gang activity, DNA fingerprinting legislation aimed at repeat offenders and stiffer penalties for drug sellers.

Naifeh said Westoreland's wife of 25 years, Alice, "told me something his friends in the Legislature already knew -- he never took credit for his accomplishments. And friends, Keith's accomplishments were many.

"What Keith Westmoreland did for law enforcement, for economic development, for communities, for education, for families, not only in Sullivan County but across this state may never be fully comprehended by his constituents and other Tennesseans. But they are real."

In the Legislature, Westmoreland will be remembered for his seat in the House's "Amen Corner" of rural lawmakers, puffing his cigar, listening to the debate, chatting with colleagues and rarely sitting down.