FOREST CITY, N.C. — On Friday, hundreds of first responders and community members paid their respects to fallen N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper John Horton.
What You Need to Know
On Friday, a funeral service was held for N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper John Horton
Horton died in the line of duty on Monday
Hundreds attended the memorial service to honor Horton
Horton, who served in the Highway Patrol for 15 years, died Monday night during a traffic stop.
Jamie Moore, a friend of Horton’s sister, attended the procession in his honor, which ended at Isothermal Community College.
“It’s sad. It’s a tragedy. It’s horrible,” Moore said. “I really feel I need to be here to show support for them.”
She’s known the family for decades.
Horton grew up in Rutherford County. He married his high school sweetheart, Ashley, and they had six children together.
“He was a good family man. He was a good husband. He was a good brother. He was a good friend. He was a good son. He loved the Lord and he loved this community,” Moore said.
Anna and her mother-in-law Martha Robbins at Carolina Pearl Boutique also knew Horton. Anna’s husband grew up with the Hortons.
The Robbinses started a T-shirt fundraiser on Wednesday afternoon and one day later, they had already sold 250.
“As a wife and mother myself, I can’t imagine losing my husband. We also have a connection with law enforcement. My brother-in-law, my husband’s brother, is also a police officer, so it really hit home,” Anna said.
Many law enforcement agencies from around North Carolina joined the procession on Friday morning.
A line of people waited outside of the auditorium where the visitation for Horton was held, including 11-year-old Preston Smith and his family.
They were close friends with the Hortons.
“We are praying for John and his family. I love John, he was my buddy. I know he’s in heaven now,” Smith said.
Smith has cerebral palsy and remembers Horton came over to teach him about being a state trooper.
State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Chris Knox appreciates the support from law enforcement and members of the community.
“We know support is what will get everybody through this. It’s a hard one,” Knox said.
It’s a hard one because it involves two troopers who were brothers.
Horton died after his brother James “Nick” Horton lost control of his car and struck John Horton’s patrol car.
Dusty Luke Beck, the driver John Horton had pulled over, also died.
Related: Authorities name suspect killed in crash involving highway patrolmen
“It’s been a tough week. There’s no way to get around it. Just with everyone who has been involved in this, emotions have gone everywhere,” Knox said.
Moore wants the family to know they are not alone.
“They’re very well-loved in the community,” Moore said. “We all love you and support you and we’ll be here for days to come.”
After the visitation, the North Carolina Troopers Association Caisson Unit carried the casket of the fallen trooper around the lake.
A private funeral service started right after. A private graveside memorial service will be held at a later time.
The nonprofit Back the Blue N.C. has set up a fundraiser to support Horton's family.
To support Beck’s family, click here.