*IN THE LINE OF DUTY* OFFICER DOWN

[HairOfTheDog]

North Carolina



Rest in peace State Trooper Kevin Conner, 38.

Conner had two children, ages 5 and 11, and was married to a music instructor at Southeast Community College, according to his obituary.

Conner is known in the Whiteville area as one of two troopers “hailed as heroes” in August 2011, after they helped two drivers involved in a head-on crash on US 74.  His quick actions helped save lives.

Investigators said in a press release that Conner was shot at about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, after he pulled over a pickup for speeding on US 701 in Columbus County. 

Conner got out of his patrol car and “the driver of the pickup then fired several shots,” said a statement. The driver then sped off.  

A local named Hilton Cox heard the gunshots and went out to investigate.  He found Trooper Conner on the ground and tried to comfort him after calling 911.

“I told him everything will be OK. It will be fine. He would make it through this,” Hilton said. “The trooper was still gasping for air. He was still breathing and still had a good pulse.”

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