Honoring officers who lost their lives in the Line of Duty in 2020

Monday was recognized as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a day set aside to show special thanks to those who serve our communities. 

While the day is dedicated to the men and women who serve in law enforcement, it is also a time to reflect on those who lost their lives in the line of duty the previous year. 

Across the country in 2020, 307 officers were classified as Line of Duty Deaths, with 189 of those deaths being attributed to COVID19. 

In North Carolina, nine officers and one K9 lost their lives while serving residents across the state. 

NOLAN JAMES SANDERS

Trooper Nolan Sanders,28, was killed in a single-vehicle crash on I-795 near exit 22 at mile marker 19 in the Pikeville area of Wayne County, at 7:17 pm on Friday, March 27. 

His patrol car left the roadway and struck a concrete culvert before landing on its side. Trooper Sanders suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Trooper Sanders had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for five years and was assigned to Troop C, District 2. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

SYPRASEUTH “BUD” PHOUANGPHRACHANH

Deputy Sheriff Sypraseuth Phouangphrachanh, 43, died on March 31 as the result of complications after contracting COVID-19 while on duty as a school resource officer. Deputy Phouangphrachanh contracted the virus at the beginning of a small outbreak of the virus affecting school employees.

Deputy Phouangphrachanh had served with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years and was assigned as the school resource officer for the county’s middle schools and high schools. He had previously served with the Candor Police Department. He is survived by his wife, five children, parents, and two brothers.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

ALEXANDER REGINALD PETTIWAY

Senior Detention Officer Alexander Pettiway, 55, died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak at the Durham County Detention Center on April 25.

Officer Pettiway had served with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office for 23 years. He is survived by his brother and sister.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

RYAN PHILLIP HENDRIX

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Hendrix, 35, was shot and killed when he responded to a vehicle tampering and shooting call in the area of Bethea Drive and Piney Ridge Drive in Mountain Home on September 10.

A citizen called 911 at about 3:00 am after discovering someone breaking into a vehicle. The citizen retrieved a firearm and confronted the subject. The subject had stolen a firearm from the vehicle and the two exchanged gunshots.

Deputy Hendrix and other deputies arrived on the scene and confronted the subject, who was wanted on a warrant for a parole violation. The man initially complied with commands but then grabbed the handgun and opened fire, striking Deputy Hendrix. The other deputies returned fire and killed the subject.

Deputy Hendrix was transported to a local hospital where it was determined he could not survive. He was declared medically deceased so that his organs could be donated.

Deputy Hendrix was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office for eight years, years, most recently as a Patrol Shift Detective and as a member of the SWAT Team. He is survived by his two children and fiancée.

LAKIYA LOUISE ROUSE

Deputy Sheriff LaKiya Rouse, 26, died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure while on duty at the Guilford County Courthouse. Deputy Rouse died on October 21.

Deputy Rouse had served with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office for 10 months. She was survived by her parents, sister, and brother.

JARED MICHAEL ALLISON

Deputy Sheriff Jared Allison, 26,  succumbed to injuries sustained on Thanksgiving Day while attempting to stop a motorcycle on U.S. 301 Bypass in Rocky Mount. 

He had just completed a traffic stop and was attempting to catch a motorcycle when another car attempted a left turn in front of him at the intersection with May Drive. Deputy Allison’s patrol SUV struck the vehicle and overturned. He was ejected from the vehicle and sustained critical injuries. He was transported to Vidant Medical Center where he remained until succumbing to his injuries on December 1st, 2020.

Deputy Allison was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Nash County Sheriff’s Office for 2-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and parents.

TYLER AVERY HERNDON

Police Officer Tyler Herndon, 25, was shot and killed while he and other officers responded to a burglary in progress at a car wash at 313 Beatty Drive at about 3:30 am.

The subject was shot and wounded by other officers on the scene. He was charged with first-degree murder.

The incident occurred on December 11, two days before Officer Herndon’s birthday.

NORMAN DAYE, JR.

Master Corporal Norman Daye died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while on duty. Master Corporal Daye died on December 12. 

Master Corporal Daye had served with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office for 16 years and was assigned to the Warrant Squad. He had previously served with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his parents, brother, sister, and step-sister.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

JASON NICHOLAS SHUPING

Police Officer Jason Shuping, 25,  was shot and killed while responding to an attempted carjacking at a fast-food restaurant at 7761 Gateway Lane NW. Officer Shuping died on December 16. 

A North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement agent had encountered an abandoned vehicle at the scene of a single-car crash on the I-85 exit ramp to Bruton Smith Boulevard. As the agent and a Concord police officer were at the scene of the crash a woman approached and told them a man had just attempted to carjack her at a nearby Sonic restaurant. The ALE agent, along with Officer Shuping and another officer responded to the restaurant where they encountered the suspect.

As they approached the man outside of the building, he produced a gun and opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Shuping and wounding the other Concord officer. Two additional responding officers engaged the suspect as he attempted to steal another car and the man was killed in a second exchanged of gunfire.

Officer Shuping had served with the Concord Police Department for 18 months.

K9 LEO

K9 Leo, 3, died from the effects of heat exhaustion following a training exercise. K9 Leo died on July 1. 

He was rushed to a local veterinarian when he showed symptoms of heat exhaustion. He was released for observation but was taken back to the vet when his condition worsened. He passed away the following day.

K9 Leo had served with the Wake Forest Police Department for three years.