SAN DIEGO -- Friends and co-workers remembered San Diego City Councilman Charles Lewis Monday at the New Creation Church.
Lewis' mother said the family is devastated by his death and will be for some time. She said her son will be remembered as a man of integrity and faith.
"Please know that Chuck will be remembered as a man who loved the Lord, a man of integrity, a fierce warrior and a man of faith," mother Rosemary White-Pope said.
"Please continue to keep our family and the fourth district community held up in your thoughts and prayers," she added.
Lewis Chief of Staff Tony Young vowed to fulfill Lewis' vision for the fourth district.
San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy spoke on behalf of the City Council.
He said the council members are in a state of shock. Monday's City Council meeting was canceled and Murphy ordered flags flown at half-staff.
"(Sunday) was a tragic day for the city of San Diego," Murphy said.
"The City Council will never be the same without Charles. He was a close, personal friend. I will miss him. Every member of the City Council loved Charles. They will miss him, too," Murphy added.
Lewis died Sunday afternoon at Kaiser Permanente Hospital. An autopsy revealed that Lewis died of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage, said Mike Workman of the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.
Lewis was indicted last August with two other councilmen on charges he accepted money from a strip club owner to repeal a "no touch" law.
All three pleaded not guilty.
Lewis' Council Spot Tough To Fill
The sudden death of Lewis left an unexpected and painful hole to fill on the City Council. The council will officially address the issue next month.
Under city rules, a special primary election will take place Nov. 30.
But right now, city officials simply want time to remember their colleague.
City Attorney Casey Gwinn said, "I'm going to do everything I can to remember him (and ) memorialize him because only three things mattered in life to Charles: his faith in God, his family and what he could do for the community. That's a good priority list for all of us to be reminded of."
No one can fathom the thought of "replacing" Lewis.
"I can tell you that the City Council will never be the same without Charles," the mayor said during a press conference.
Whoever runs for Lewis' seat must win by 50 percent plus one. If that doesn't happen, there would be a runoff election in January.
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Lewis' Mom Devastated By His Death
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