WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis honored the 371 officers who were added to the National Peace Officers Memorial on Wednesday, including N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Keith Conner (Pictured) from Bladenboro, who was killed in the line of duty in Columbus County.
“My heart goes out to the families and colleagues of the brave North Carolina law enforcement officers who were added to the National Peace Officers Memorial,” said Tillis, who represents North Carolina. “The brave men and women serving in law enforcement wake up every single day ready to risk their own lives for the protection of others. We will never forgetthe tremendous sacrifice of our fallen heroes.”
The officers from North Carolina added to the memorial were:
• Kevin Keith Conner, North Carolina Highway Patrol. Conner was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop. Conner served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 11 years and had previously served with the North Carolina Marine Patrol. He is survived by his wife and two children.
• Jason Barton Quick, Lumberton Police Department. Quick was struck and killed by a vehicle while investigating a crash. Quick served with the Lumberton Police Department for 18 months. He is survived by his wife and two young children.
• Alexis Locklear, Scotland County Sheriff’s Office. Locklear was killed in a vehicle crash. Locklear served with the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office for nine months. He is survived by his 4-year-old daughter, his parents, six sisters, and his grandparents.
• David Lee’Sean Manning, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office. Manning was killed in a vehicle crash. Manning served with the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office for four months. He is survived by his daughter, fiance, parents, three brothers, two grandmothers, and a grandfather.
• Jared William Franks, Greensboro Police Department. Franks was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a call. Franks served with the Greensboro Police Department for 2 1/2 years.
• Brandon Carroll Peterson, North Carolina Highway Patrol. Peterson died shortly after safely stopping a vehicle driving the wrong way in the snow. He served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for nine years. He is survived by his wife and child.
• Samuel Newton Bullard, North Carolina Highway Patrol. Bullard was killed in a vehicle crash while involved in a pursuit. Bullard served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for three years. He is survived by his fiancee, parents, brother, sister, grandparents, and extended family.
• Benjamin Derek Wallace, North Carolina Highway Patrol. Wallace died shortly after assisting at the scene of an accident. Wallace served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 10 1/2 years. He is survived by one child.
• Christopher James Driver, Rocky Mount Police Department. Driver was killed in a vehicle crash. Driver served with the Rocky Mount Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife.
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week.
Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This year, National Police Week will run through Saturday, May 18.
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