Harnett County Deputy Christopher Johnson, 51, died in a crash on Feb. 6 while on duty and headed home from his shift as a school resource officer. He will be laid to rest Tuesday with full law enforcement honors.
Johnson had worked for the Harnett County Sheriff's Office for 16 months. Before that, he spent 15 years with the Sampson County Sheriff's Office, according to Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. He also served as an officer with the Dunn Police Department for nine years.
"Chris was a shining example of a true public servant. He consistently went above and beyond to assist those he served," Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said after Johnson's death.
Johnson died in a crash on a rural road north of Fayetteville at about 3 p.m. Feb. 6, according to the State Highway Patrol.
"A tractor-trailer was traveling west on Darroch Rd and was followed by a Dodge Durango. A marked Harnett County Sheriff's Office Dodge Charger was traveling east on Darroch Rd and crossed the center line and collided with the tractor-trailer," according to the Highway Patrol.
"After impact, the patrol vehicle rotated in the roadway and struck the Dodge Durango that was behind the tractor-trailer," the Highway Patrol said.
The deputy died at the scene, investigators said. The driver of the Dodge Durango and a minor passenger were taken to the hospital. The tractor-trailer driver was not hurt.
Johnson's family plans to have a small funeral Tuesday afternoon at Central Baptist Church in Dunn. He will be laid to rest at his family cemetery in Clinton.
Johnson is survived by his wife of 27 years, four children and his father.