03/29/2024
Spread the love

May is Law Enforcement Officers Month in North Carolina. Law enforcement officers protect life and property in their communities across the state. There have been numerous reports lately of Bladen County law enforcement going above the call of duty to protect life and property. 

This past Saturday, a Bladen County dog found itself in a hole with the inability to escape. Bladen County Sheriff’s Deputy, McKinley Raynor, drove by the scene early on Saturday morning, heard the howls for help, and assisted the strained animal.  

In April, Bladen County Sheriff’s Deputy, Corey Thomas, was commended for going above the call of duty. Thomas’ fast actions saved property, and quite possibly lives, according to Bladen County property owner Shane Todd.

“Thompson noticed a fire had started on the porch, and instead of riding by and continuing on his way, he turned around. He then knocked on the door until the two tenants, who were asleep, woke up,” Todd explained.

“They could have died,” Todd exclaimed, “He could have very well saved their lives.”

Thomas also made sure the fire was extinguished which saved the home.

On another day in April, after responding to a domestic violence call, Sheriff’s Deputies heard another cry for help. Deputy Donald Britt rescued a stranded kitten in some nearby thicket that was crying loudly. The malnourished kitten received care and is thriving in his new home. 

Last but not least, we do not want to forget Peace Officers Memorial Day. The day is held during the first week in May each year to honor the North Carolina officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This year, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, an event to honor the Bladen County fallen law enforcement officers was not held. 

In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day, below are those Bladen County peace officers who died in the line of duty.

Chief Roy Flores suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a suspect. Chief Fores had responded to a call involving two drunk men who were fighting. When he arrived on the scene, one of the men began to struggle with the chief. End of watch September 3, 1967.

Chief Marvin James Bell was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call. He was familiar with the suspect and had arrested him several times before. As he approached the man, the suspect drew a weapon and opened fire, mortally wounding Chief Bell. Chief Bell was able to return fire and kill the suspect. His wife and two children survived chief Bell. End of watch September 30, 1972.

Officer Brian Joe Ramey was killed when his patrol car was intentionally struck by a vehicle being chased by officers from another agency on N.C. Highway 211. End of watch: May 12, 2001.

Deputy Sheriff James Collins was killed when the patrol car he was riding in struck a tree during a pursuit. End of watch: September 26, 2001.

Deputy Sheriff Dewayne Hester was killed in a vehicle collision while responding to an assault in-progress call near Elizabethtown. He was traveling on NC Highway 87, near Allen Priest Road, when his car left the roadway on a curve and struck a tree. End of watch: June 8, 2012.

North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Keith Conner was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop of a speeding vehicle on U.S. Highway 701, near Sellers Town Road, in Columbus County at 12:15 a.m. The suspect opened fire on Trooper Conner as he was approaching the stopped vehicle, fatally wounding him. The man fled but was located near Fair Bluff. He leads officers on a pursuit until his vehicle became disabled on railroad tracks in the town. He then fled on foot but was located and taken into custody at 4:00 a.m. End of watch: October 17, 2018.

Officer James Area Smith suffered a massive stroke while supervising the inmate roadside Cleanup Crew on Peanut Plant Road. Mr. Smith was taken to an area hospital where he passed away a few days later. End Watch: January 6, 2019.

Trooper Conner was not stationed primarily in Bladen but worked the area, and he grew-up in Bladen and was a member of the Bladenboro Fire Department.

Mr. Smith was a retired detention officer from Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office before starting as a Supervisor for Bladen County’s Roadside Clean-up Crew in 2018.

 

About Author