Bio & Incident Details
Age: 42
Tour: 12 years
Badge # C-145
Military veteran
Cause: Vehicular assault
Incident Date: 9/8/2012
Weapon: Automobile
Suspect: Charged with murder
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Trooper Gene Demuth was struck and killed by the driver of a vehicle on U.S. 64 near Spring Hope in Nash County, while attempting to deploy spike strips during a pursuit at approximately 7:45 am.
The pursuit started when officers from the Raleigh Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver, who was wanted on multiple charges, including two counts of kidnapping, immediately fled at a high speed. Trooper Demuth was struck by the subject's vehicle as he attempted to deploy the spike strips. The man continued to flee but was taken into custody a short distance away after he crashed into a guard rail. The dash camera in a Nash County deputy sheriff's car shows that the suspect intentionally swerved to hit Trooper Demuth.
The 40 year-old suspect was admitted to Nash General Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Three days later he was transferred to Central Prison in Raleigh where he is being held under a two million dollar bond. In addition to charges stemming from the Raleigh incident, he has been charged with felony murder, driving while impaired, and speeding to allude arrest.
Trooper Demuth had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 12 years and was assigned to the Rocky Mount, Troop C District 1 Highway Patrol Office. He served his country as a United States Marine from 1988 to 1992. He began his law enforcement career in 1994 as a deputy with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office until moving over to the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office. Before joining the patrol he was an officer with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section. Trooper Demuth is survived by his wife, 8-year-old son, mother, sister, brother, niece, and two nephews.
