Recently Resigned Weaverville Police Sergeant found dead 12/13/08

Taken from the Asheville Citizen Times:

MARS HILL – The Madison County Sheriff's Department and the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the death of a former police officer who resigned his position as a sergeant with the Weaverville Police Department earlier this month after he was arrested and charged with assault.

Andy Cody, 38, died Friday night or Saturday morning, law enforcement officials said Saturday. No one from the Madison County Sheriff's Department was available to provide details Saturday, though the police chiefs from both Weaverville and Mars Hill confirmed Cody's death.
“He's not with us anymore,” Weaverville Police Chief Greg Stephens told the News-Record & Sentinel. “We've lost a good man. He will certainly be missed.” Mars Hill Police Chief D.K. Lewis said he responded to the death scene overnight but couldn't comment on the case because the Sheriff's Department is investigating. Lewis was visibly upset when asked about Cody, who was once a lieutenant in his department. Lewis said he responded to the scene “for the family,” but was not involved in the investigation. Mars Hill police officers had their badges covered with black mourning ribbon Saturday as they worked directing traffic and providing traffic control at the Mars Hill Christmas parade. Stephens said he was helping with funeral arrangements Saturday morning, but said he couldn't share specific details about Cody's death.

Cody was arrested Dec. 2 at his home in Mars Hill and charged with simple assault after deputies responded to complaints of a domestic disturbance at Cody's home. “There were obvious signs of domestic violence,” Madison County Sheriff's Capt. Buddy Harwood said at the time.Released on a promise to appear, Cody then sought and received a domestic violence order of protection against Angela Tweed, 38, whose relationship with Cody was described in court documents as “unmarried, of opposite sex, currently or formerly living together.” Cody, who had worked with the Weaverville Police Department for six years, resigned the same day, Stephens said. “We're certainly going to miss him,” Stephens said, describing Cody as a “good worker; a good employee. He was a good person, and a good friend,” Stephens said. Calls to the medical examiner and the SBI were not returned. ***End of ACT story

We all grieve and mourn the death of Weaverville Police Officer Andy Cody. He was under a lot of pressure and maybe embarrased over a recent scuffle; even to the point that he recently resigned. Please let the community know what we can do to help. We have lost a great citizen.