Bio & Incident Details
Age: 33
Tour: 10 years
Badge # 624
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 12/23/2001
Weapon: Handgun
Offender: Sentenced to life
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Detective Donald Miller was shot and killed while off duty when he confronted a man who was driving recklessly in the New Hanover Regional Medical Center parking lot, in Wilmington.
The detective and his wife were leaving the hospital after visiting their newborn child when he observed the man speeding and weaving in the parking lot. He confronted the man, who suddenly pulled out a handgun and opened fire, striking Detective Miller. The gunman then attempted to shoot Detective Miller's wife, but Detective Miller was able to push her out of harm's way.
He then fled through the hospital and was later apprehended. Detective Miller succumbed to the gunshot wound two days later. The killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
The shooter was upset that his grandmother's leg had to be amputated and planned a shooting spree at the hospital.
Detective Miller had been in law enforcement for ten years and had been with the New Bern Police Department for four years. While employed with his first agency, he was at one point assigned to the same hospital where he was shot. He is survived by his wife and two children.
