Rembert DeBerry may no longer be a part of the Laurinburg City Council, but that did little to keep him from the council chambers Tuesday night.

The long-time councilman and former mayor pro tem was recognized with kind words, an ordinance unanimously passed by his peers and a plaque commemorating his work with the city.

Councilman Tommy Parker, who just won a third term to his District 2 seat and was elected to replace DeBerry as mayor pro tem, had nothing but praise for his former colleague.

"I've been in this role for two terms and I have served on the board of education for two years and I never worked with a fellow member who was any more considerate than Rembert was of your viewpoints," Parker said. "Whether he agreed with you or not, he always showed you the ultimate respect and he set an example for me through his leadership to live by. I try to be as good a council member as Rembert was."

After the presentation of a plaque by Mayor Matthew Block, DeBerry received a standing ovation.

City council also appointed DeBerry to fill an open seat on the Local Firefighters Relief Fund Board that was vacated by the resignation of Jack Ficklin.

DeBerry will serve out the remainder of the term, which ends Sept. 30, 2010.

DeBerry's challenger, Kenton Spencer, was sworn in during a ceremony at noon, along with Parker. Councilman Herbert Rainer was sworn in before the 7 p.m. meeting as he could not make the noon session.

City Council also approved a resolution supporting the naming of an overpass on U.S. 74-Bypass overtop U.S. 15-401-Bypass after fallen Highway Patrolman A.J. Hedgepeth.

The trooper died nearly 80 years ago while on patrol in Laurinburg and Troop H of the State Highway Patrol felt it was time to honor him, according to Capt. David L. Allen, active Troop H commander.

Hedgepeth died after losing control of his motorcycle during a pursuit on East Church Street on Oct. 23, 1931.

"He is unique to us as he was only the second member of the highway patrol to be killed in the line of duty," Allen said.

In other business:

• Newly-hired Administrative Assistant Mary Robinson of the Laurinburg Downtown Revitalization Corporation was presented to city council.

• Council members unanimously approved the lifting of the hiring freeze to fill a vacancy for a meter reader and to hire a ditch crew for several months.

• Plans to reveal the audit have been postponed for a month as the completed audit was given to city officials Monday and council members have not received a copy yet.