North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina
End of Watch: Sunday, April 4, 1999
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: A-338
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: April 4, 1999
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Trooper David Dees was killed in a traffic crash on Trinkaloe Road as he was attempting an enforcement action and lost control of his unmarked vehicle.
The vehicle went into a 10-foot-deep ditch, overturned, and he was knocked unconscious. He was found by several deputies and was transported to a local hospital, where he later died before regaining consciousness. His patrol car was found with the emergency lights activated, but he had made no radio contact with dispatch before the crash.
Trooper Dees had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for three years. He is survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.
The bridge on I-40, at the Duplin County line, was renamed in Trooper Dees' memory in 2003.