‘Hard to fathom’: Family, friends say final goodbye to NC trooper

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Funeral services were held Friday for a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper who was killed Monday night while conducting a traffic stop in Rutherford County.

Trooper John S. Horton died after his brother, also a state trooper, crashed into him during the traffic stop, authorities said.

A motorcyclist who had been pulled over also died in the collision.

According to Sergeant Chris Knox with the NCSHP, Trooper James N. Horton was heading to help with a traffic stop conducted by his older brother, Trooper John S. Horton, just before 9 p.m. in Mooresboro when the collision happened.

While nearing the scene of the traffic stop on High Shoals Church Road, James Horton lost control of his vehicle and slammed into his brother’s patrol car and then hit his brother and the motorcyclist who had been stopped. The two were standing on the side of the road.

>>To contribute to the GoFundMe for Beck’s family, click here.

The motorcyclist, later identified as 26-year-old Dusty Luke Beck, was pronounced dead at the scene.

John Horton, a 15-year veteran assigned to Rutherford County, was taken to a hospital in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he later died, said Knox.

James Horton was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was later released.

“Our hearts are broken with the loss of our friend and our brother, Trooper John Horton” said Colonel Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “For all involved in this tragic event the coming days will undoubtedly be difficult, but we are committed to stand alongside them with our thoughts, prayers and unwavering support.”

‘Hard to fathom’: Funeral held for fallen Trooper John S. Horton

• Services were held Friday on the campus of Isothermal Community College at the address of 172 Rapid Court in Forest City.
• Visitation was held from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Foundation Auditorium.
• The body of Trooper John S. Horton was ceremoniously carried by the North Carolina Troopers Association Caisson Unit around the ICC lake at the conclusion of the visitation.
• The funeral service was held at 5 p.m. immediately following the visitation in the auditorium. Availability was on a first-come basis with the exception of reserved seating for family, first responders and special invited guests.
• A private graveside memorial service will be held at a later time for family and close friends only.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the motorcycle escort Friday morning and saw several law enforcement agencies standing in salute to Trooper John Horton.

John and James Horton were connected by blood and by badge, and that’s what made Horton’s funeral so different. James was trying to help his brother when the fatal crash happened. Now, the Horton family is working to heal from the inside -- with a lot of support.

Jennifer Fredell-Saucier is a state trooper’s wife. She clutched a memorial program with a picture of the man who mentored her husband while speaking with Channel 9 Friday. Her children called him “Uncle John”.

“He loved helping people. He loved his job,” she said.

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Trooper John Horton Procession

Horton’s passing impacted her 7-year-old son, who watched a procession for him and told his mom, “John has now gained his angel wings and he’s watching us from above.”

John Horton loved his family. He had six children, and his younger brother, James, had followed his big brother’s footsteps and become a trooper too.

“They were inseparable,” Sergeant Knox said. “They would get off duty and play video games together all day.”

“I’m devastated for everything they are going through right now,” Fredell-Saucier said.

Losing Trooper Horton in the way his loved ones did leaves deep scars.

“This week has been hard to fathom,” Knox said. “It’s something you can’t wrap your mind around.”

Knox said the half-hour procession, the long lines for the visitation, and the signs of support posted around the county have helped the family heal from an unimaginable loss.

‘One of the greatest men I ever met’

James Lovelace heard the crash outside his home and saw Highway Patrol cars were involved. He tried to help and realized he knew both troopers.

“He’s one of the greatest men I ever met,” Lovelace said. “Just praying for you buddy. Just know God’s got this under control.”

Some told Channel 9 that John Horton’s dedication is the reason why his younger brother became a trooper, too.

“It’s probably like a bad dream to him this morning. A bad dream you just can’t get out of,” said family friend Anthony Smith.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the collision and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Collision Reconstruction Unit is also assisting with the investigation.

On Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper offered his condolences to the loved ones of Horton and Beck.

GoFundMe created for family of man killed in Rutherford County trooper collision

Beck’s family said he was a loving father of three children, who had a kind soul and loved life, ABC affiliate WLOS reported.

A GoFundMe account was created for Beck.

“He had such a loving heart and wanted to best for everyone,” his sister Seledia Carver said on the fundraiser. “He loved his babies and he loved to just live.”

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