HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — The solemn sound of a horse drawn caisson was the only thing heard Tuesday afternoon.

What You Need To Know

  • Deputy Chris Johnson of Harnett County died in a traffic collision last week

  • He served more than 25 years as a law enforcement officer

  • Johnson is survived by his wife and four children

Hundreds came to the Central Baptist Church near Dunn. All of them came to honor the life of Harnett County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Johnson.

His flag-draped coffin was carried inside.

He died last week in a traffic accident.

“There’s nothing I can say that you don’t already know,” Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats said. “What Chris Johnson meant to this community. The things he done … when he was off-duty. He didn’t have to do but he did it … because he was a servant."

Johnson had served as a deputy in both Harnett and Sampson counties. He was also a Dunn police officer.

“Chris touched so many lives during his lifetime and was remarkable in so many ways,” Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said.

After the memorial service, a final procession carried Johnson to his final resting place at a family cemetery in Clinton.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years and four children.

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