RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. — The Rutherford County community was reeling Tuesday after the death of N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper John Horton.

“Yes, it’s been devastating,” local business owner Tom Baldwin said. 

Horton and another driver were killed after being struck by a second responding trooper, which happened to be Horton’s brother, James, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

What You Need To Know

Business owner Tom Baldwin says trooper's death is "devastating"

Baldwin says trooper John Horton was a good man and friendly customer

Baldwin said customers at his store Tuesday were sharing in grief

James Horton was arriving to the traffic stop to help his brother when he lost control of his vehicle, according to DPS. The driver being detained at the stop, 26-year-old Dusty Luke Beck, died at the scene.

“Trooper James Horton collided with the stationary patrol vehicle and subsequently struck Trooper John Horton and the detained driver who were standing along the roadside,” DPS explained in a brief statement.

The crash is currently under active investigation.

Across the community on Tuesday, people met the news with shock, sadness and disbelief.

“When I found out it was John, it was just devastating. John was a part of our community, he came in here some. He’s always been extremely nice, and always helpful. It’s just hard to put in words,” Baldwin added in front of his convenience store.

Baldwin’s family has owned Earl’s Short Stop since 1945, when Baldwin’s dad opened it after returning from World War II.

“It’s been pretty somber. It has. Normally, you know, people coming in and out, we’re always laughing and joking. And, it’s not quite that right now. Everybody’s — everybody’s upset,” Baldwin said about his customers. His store is just about a mile from where the crash happened. 

Other community members, who did not want to speak publicly, described John Horton as a good man and said they were saddened by what had happened, especially since it involved both brothers.

“John was a good guy, I mean he just — he was just one of the good guys. He’s going to be missed. He is, in the whole community,” Baldwin continued.

Horton was a 15-year highway patrol veteran assigned to Rutherford County. Baldwin said the Horton family is well known, “His family’s been apart of this community for a long, long time.”

Horton was often a customer at Earl’s, and Baldwin remembers him as friendly, talkative and capable of brightening anyone’s day even if he pulled you over.

“I wasn’t paying attention, and I passed him, he pulled out behind me and pulled me over,” Baldwin recalled, retelling the story of a time Horton pulled him over for speeding nearly 10 years ago, as he returned from a trip to Florida.

“Fortunately, he did not give me a speeding ticket! He gave me a little warning and told me to be sure to watch my speed. For the last 10 years, every time I go through there I look at my speedometer. But I, uh, really appreciated the break he gave me, and I just have good memories, I really do. He was that kind of guy,” Baldwin recalled with a laugh.

In a message on its Facebook page, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office asked the public to respect the family and said it was  extending thoughts and prayers.

A gofundme page has been set up for the family by Back the Blue N.C. 

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