National Police Week: NC Officers Who Died In Line Of Duty

MOORESVILLE, NC — Nine North Carolina law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2018 will be honored as part of the annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers converge on the nation’s capital for the event, which will be held Wednesday, May 15. A similar event is also planned in Mooresville.

The names of local, state and federal law enforcement officers nationwide who died on duty will be read. Here are the officers who will be recognized from North Carolina:

• Samuel N. Bullard
• End of watch: May 21, 2018
• Trooper Samuel N. Bullard was killed in a crash on Interstate 77 while in the pursuit of suspects who fled a checkpoint.
• Kevin K. Conner
• End of watch: Oct. 17, 2018
• Trooper Kevin K. Conner was shot and killed in Columbus County by a suspect driving a stolen vehicle after he stopped him for a speeding violation.
• Christopher J. Driver
• End of watch: June 23, 2018
• Rocky Mount Police Department Senior Officer Christopher J. Driver was killed when his vehicle hit the back of a truck being illegally towed and left parked in a travel lane.
• Jared W. Franks
• End of watch: Nov. 10, 2018
• Greensboro Officer Jared W. Franks was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a robbery call.
• Alexis T. E. Locklear
• End of watch: March 1, 2018
• Scotland County Sheriff Deputy Alexis “Thunder Eagle” Locklear was killed in a vehicle crash while pursuing a suspect in a vehicle chase.

• David Manning
• End of watch: March 11, 2018
• Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Deputy David Manning was killed in a vehicle crash during an attempted traffic stop.
• Brandon C. Peterson
• End of watch: April 7, 2017
• Trooper Brandon Peterson died after suffering a fatal heart attack.
• Jason B. Quick
• End of watch: Dec. 15, 2018
• Lumberton Police Officer Jason B. Quick was killed when he was hit by a vehicle while investigating a car crash along Interstate 95.
• Benjamin D. Wallace
• End of watch: Nov. 2, 2018
• Trooper Benjamin D. Wallace died suddenly from a cardiac event while at home.

RELATED: Funeral Arrangements Set For Slain Mooresville Officer

President John F. Kennedy in 1962 designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week as Police Week. The Memorial Service began 20 years later with about 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement gathering in Senate Park, according to the event’s website. Since then, it has grown to attract up to 40,000 attendees every year. The event, best known as National Police Week, features a series of events, including seminars and a candlelight vigil.

Mooresville Police Department will conduct its own National Police Week Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 15, beginning at 3 p.m. at police headquarters located at 750 West Iredell Avenue. The event comes days after the funeral of MPD K9 Officer Jordan Sheldon, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Highway 150 May 4.

In Washington, a candlelight vigil is planned for the evening of May 13 on the National Mall and the annual Steve Young National Honor Guard and Pipe Band competitions Tuesday.

The two-hour memorial service will begin around 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. Annual Tent City events, featuring music, food and adult beverages, will be held Monday through Wednesday at RFK Stadium.

Patch staffers Dan Hampton and Deb Belt contributed to this report.