Trooper Bobby G. Demuth North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina End of Watch: Saturday, September 8, 2012

Trooper Bobby G. Demuth

North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, September 8, 2012

Biographical Info

Age:
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: September 8, 2012
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Agency Contact Information

Colonel Michael Gilchrist
North Carolina Highway Patrol
512 N Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: (919) 733-7952

Trooper Bobby Demuth was struck and killed by a vehicle on U.S. 64, in Nash County, while attempting to deploy spike strips during a pursuit at approximately 7:45 am.
The pursuit started when officers from the Raleigh Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver, who was wanted on multiple charges, including two counts of kidnapping, immediately fled at a high speed. Trooper Demuth was struck by the subject’s vehicle as he attempted to deploy the spike strips. The man continued to flee but was taken into custody a short distance away.
Trooper Demuth had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 12 years and was assigned to the Rocky Mount, Troop C District 1 Highway Patrol Office.

Raleigh, NC– The law enforcement community is mourning the loss of a NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) Trooper.

In a  news release, the state highway patrol office said Trooper Bobby G. Demuth out of Rocky Mount, NC was killed during a high speed car chase that started in Raleigh and came into Nash County on Saturday around 7:44 a.m.

Investigators said, Officers with the Raleigh Police Department attempted to stop a 1995 Nissan 200SX on US 64 east near Hodge Road. The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued traveling into Nash County where troopers attempted to deploy stop sticks.

During the deployment, Trooper Demuth was hit and killed. The suspect vehicle continued a short distance before the driver was taken into custody after he collided with a guardrail.

Trooper Demuth was a 12-year veteran stationed at the Rocky Mount, Troop C District 1 Highway Patrol Office.

"We’re all family. We’re all brothers and that’s why it is so tragic to have to report on something that occurred this morning," said First Sergeant Jeff Gordon, the Highway Patrol’s public information officer. "When something like this happens, it really brings to light and you really do realize the dangers that are involved. We lost an invaluable member today."

The suspect has been identified as 40 year-old Christopher McCoy Rodgers of Williamston, NC.

The incident is still under investigation and NCSHP did not release any other details. 
Raleigh police told WRAL that Rodgers was wanted on charges of Burglary, Common Law Robbery, Obtaining Property by False Pretenses and two counts of Kidnapping from an incident Friday night.

He leaves behind a wife and child in Battleboro

 

 

Trooper Bobby G. Demuth, a native of Edgecombe County who was stationed to work in Rocky Mount, was struck by a vehicle fleeing law enforcement officials. The vehicle did not stop afterward, but continued on U.S. 64 to where the highway intersects with Interstate 95, troopers said. The vehicle crashed, and the driver fled. Authorities later apprehended the suspect – 40-year-old Christopher McCoy Rodgers of Williamston.

Raleigh police Public Affairs Specialist Laura Hourigan said the chase stemmed from an assault and robbery just after midnight on the 5400 block of Morning Creek Way in Raleigh. According to a press release, Rodgers forced his way into a woman’s apartment then restrained her and her 21-month old child before barricading them into a room. The suspect stole the woman’s ATM card then fled the scene, police said.

The victim was able to free herself and flee to a friend’s house where she reported the crime, police said. Investigators determined Rodgers used the card on the 800 block of South New Hope Road and obtained warrants against him for burglary, common law robbery, two counts of kidnapping, assault on a female, assault on a child and obtaining property by false pretense. Officers were given a description of Rodgers’ 1995 Nissan 200SX and when an officer said he saw the car near New Hope Road and Rogers Lane, he called for backup, police said.

Hourigan said when additional units arrived, officers attempted to stop Rodgers near the intersection of U.S. 264 and U.S. 64 near Wendell. Rodgers refused to stop and additional law enforcement agencies joined the pursuit, which continued into Nash County.

“The suspect exited on N.C. 231 and traveled across the bridge before going down the off-ramp,” N.C. Highway Patrol First Sgt. Jeff Gordon said. “The suspect went east in the westbound lanes of U.S. 64. Two troopers attempted to deploy stop sticks in his direction, but Demuth was struck by the suspect’s vehicle.”

Stop sticks are designed to blow out the tires of a vehicle. Demuth died at the scene, Gordon said.

Gordon said charges are pending against Rodgers, 40, of Williamston, but refused to comment on what charges will be filed. The investigation is ongoing, and U.S. 64 is expected to be closed at least through 5 p.m. today.

Demuth was a 12-year veteran of the Highway Patrol who was stationed at the Rocky Mount, Troop C District 1 Highway Patrol Office