NC police officer killed in crash

Elizabeth City Police officers say they lost a great friend and colleague early Sunday morning. That's when Officer Lonnie Moore, Jr. died in a car crash on US-13 in Bertie County.

Only WAVY.com was there, Tuesday, as officers talked about the legacy Moore left behind.

"He was very much so a family person with the police department," says Lt. John Ethridge of the Elizabeth City Police Department.

Officer Moore was an 18-year police veteran. The last three of those years he spent with the Elizabeth City Police Department.

"He was well respected by everyone who knew him and he will be sadly missed by every member of our police department," says Chief Charles Crudup.

Only WAVY.com was there as Officer Moore's Chief of Police and colleagues spoke about the man they say loved to make everyone smile.

"You could be at your lowest point, regardless of when it was or where you were at, and he could bring the goodness out of you by laughing and joking," says Lt. Ethridge.

However, the laughing stopped early Sunday morning. Officer Moore drove home from planning his class reunion when a passenger in his car says he swerved to miss a deer. Moore lost control on Highway 13 between Williamston and Windsor, was ejected from his car and died.

"The community has certainly lost a dedicated public servant," says Chief Crudup.

A memorial in Officer Moore's honor outside the police department grows with each passing day. It shows respect to a man who trained many of the Elizabeth City Officers and lead by example.

"If the radio was on on his way home and he would hear a hot call would come out, he would turn around and come back to help his fellow officers. That's what kind of officer he was," says Lt. Ethridge.

Friends say he was equally dedicated to his 11 year-old son, a child Elizabeth City Police Officers say they'll work to support financially through a scholarship fund. Proof brothers and sisters in blue truly are each others' family forever.

"We are a close knit agency and we certainly will miss him," says Chief Crudup.

A memorial service for Officer Moore will be held Thursday evening, at 6 at St. Stephen Baptist Church along York Street in Elizabeth City.

Chief Crudup tells WAVY.com, prior to Moore's service in Elizabeth City, he was a police officer in Petersburg, Waverly, and New York.  Investigators say it's unclear at this time if Officer Moore was wearing his seatbelt when he was thrown from his 1997 BMW on Highway 13.  The female passenger in his car is listed in stable condition.