CRIME REPORT

Deputy Shot and Killed In Williamston

Man kills deputy, then is killed - Crime/Safety - NewsObserver.com.

Deputy Charlie Brown

WILLIAMSTON -- A sheriff's deputy responding to a 911 call was shot to death by a man who was also killed when he refused to obey instructions from law officers.

The Williamston Police Department and the Martin County Sheriff's Office  ( Sheriff Gibbs

[email protected] )say Deputy Charlie Brown, 38, was shot and killed Tuesday morning after responding to a call about an armed suspect in Williamston, about 100 miles east of Raleigh.

Officials say that when deputies and officers arrived, Jerry Lee Pace Jr., 36, was armed and resisting instructions. They say that Pace fired his gun and that officers fired back, killing Pace. The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident.

Brown was a 15-year veteran of law enforcement. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two daughters.

Guest Book - leave your condolences. 

Williamston Police Department and Martin County Sheriff's Office Press Release On Tuesday, December 08, 2009, at approximately 9:16 a.m., Williamston Police Officers and Martin County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a 911 call at 1710 West Main Street, Williamston, NC in reference to a suspect armed with a long gun. Upon the officer's arrival, they observed Jerry Lee Pace, Jr., white male, date of birth: 04/03/1973 outside of the residence armed with a long gun. The officers issued several verbal commands to Pace. However, Pace refused to comply with the commands. Pace then discharged the weapon and the officers returned fire. During the incident, Jerry Lee Pace, Jr. was fatally wounded. Narcotics Investigator Charles "Charlie" Douglas Brown, Jr. with the Martin County Sheriff's Office was also fatally wounded. Brown has been a law enforcement officer for approximately fifteen years and previously worked with the Williamston Police Department. Brown is survived by his wife Cindy and two daughters. Charlie was well respected by the law enforcement community and will be truly missed. The Williamston Police Department and the Martin County Sheriff's Office have requested that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) investigate the incident.

Officer Matthews 10-42

Wilmington remembered Wilmington Police Officer Richard Matthews today in a service held at St. Marks. The flag draped coffin came down Eastwood Road and into the church parking lot where  it was met by hundreds of uniformed law enforcement officers at attention.

A contingency of officers from various agencies throughout the state snapped hand to brow in salute of their fallen brother. The mood stayed somber.

Chief Ralph Evangelous made arrangements for coverage with other cooperating agencies so that his entire department could attend the service. The escorted hearse will be driven to Officer Matthews hometown in Pennsylvania by Detective Missy Perkins.

"Central to 313, central to 313, central to 313...313, sir you are clear for final 10-42. Central to all units, 313 is 10-42, central is clear."

There goes my hero, watch him as he goes.

Officer Richard Matthews

Officer Richard Matthews, age 28, was hired in December 2006. Officer Matthews has died from injuries sustained in a crash early this morning.

The officer was in his marked police car headed eastbound on Shipyard Boulevard at 1:18 a.m. He was en route to back up another officer on a call.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the officer lost control of his vehicle, crossed the median and hit a tree on the opposite side of the road in the 3900 block of Shipyard Boulevard. He was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Donations in memory of Officer Matthews may be sent to the Wilmington Police Recreation Association, c/o Lt. Matt Hinson, 615 Bess Street, Wilmington, N.C., 28401.

He will be forever missed by all those whose lives he touched.

On Feb. 5, he was commended by the police department for bravery, courage and professionalism when he and other officers entered a burning building at Park Place Condominiums on Park Avenue on Jan. 24 to rescue residents. Matthews carried a 96-year-old woman to safety.

There goes my hero.
Watch him as he goes...

ROLL CALL

I know that all too often we lose a law enforcement officer in a car crash. Some are chasing a suspect, some are responding to a call, some are sitting on the side of the road when they are crashed into by an inattentive driver.

I remember the Tabor City rookie officer Timothy Shane Miller, that on his first day on the job was killed in a crash while in pursuit. Not too long ago Trooper Brand miraculously survived a horrific wreck while in pursuit of a man that weeks later attempted to run over a Durham Officer and was shot and killed as a result of the assault.

Today I was reminded of a Deputy that was killed responding to a call. Harnett County Sheriff's Deputy John Fitzgerald Strickland had only been working as a Deputy for 5 months before he died in a crash on Nursery Road. After a 20 year hitch with the US Army Deputy Strickland joined his father, Captain Strickland, at the Harnett County Sheriff's Office. You can imagine how proud his father must have been to see his oldest son follow in his footsteps and how those that knew John Strickland must have seen a determination and excitement in his eyes as he talked about his plans to enter BLET and become a Deputy.

I was reminded of Deputy Strickland because I came by the Harnett County Sheriff's Office to speak with Sheriff Rollins and saw a glass case that memorialized the selfless service given to the community by Deputy Strickland.

I wish I knew more about John Strickland and the thousands of others that lost their lives serving us, keeping us safe, making a sacrifice that few can understand. I went to the Officer Down Memorial Page on the web and learned a little about Deputy Strickland, John. I learned that he once went to a house and talked with a man that had recently been a victim of a crime. The victim was extremely angry and Deputy Strickland found the wisdom to console the man. Because of the positive experience the victim entered into BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Training) graduating 3rd in his class and has since become a law enforcement officer himself. I learned that Deputy Strickland was a K-9 handler and a Harley rider. But most important was that I learned that John Strickland, the father, husband and son is missed tremendously. His life touched so many.

I am posting the following taken off the Officer Down website. It is from John Strickland's father, a retired Captain with the Harnett County Sheriff's Office. These are the kind of men and women that work a job too few appreciate. These are the men and women that deserve our respect.

My Darlin Son,
I'm sorry I haven't written to your site sooner,but every time I start to write,tears would fill my eyes.
I hope I get through this one. I miss you so much John. Things have not been the same since you left us for your new and better home.
I walk down to the crash site sometimes with Blitz. We sit and I cry and Blitz licks the tears from my eyes. I look up to the sky and pray to the Lord to let you be in peace with him in his kingdom.
I'm trying to write this from my heart so you will know it is me and not something copied from a book.
I miss your family also.Being with the kids for a PD burger. We had some good times John Boy.
Your long time friend Byron, took your Harkey for a ride Sunday. He also misses you so very much.
It's been hard on your mom. You was her pride and joy and her first born. Sometimes she will be sitting and just start crying and I'll leave her alone because I know what those tears are for her beloved son.
I have to tell you this John, I took Blitz Daisey and Fe Fe to your grave site the other day. Parked the car a hundred yards from your grave. Fe Fe and Daisey went off smelling to the left. When I turned to look to see where Blitz was,he was laying on your grave site and when I walked up to him his ears were down.I said,"What are you doing Blitz". He knew his buddy John was there.
I knelt down and hugged him with tears in my eyes and told him it was alright.
I can't begin to tell you all the good things that the Sheriff and the department have done for you and your family. They loved you John and they all miss you so much.
I can't thank them enough for all the kindness,love and concern shown by them.God bless them all.
Your Dad

Written 10-04-04