Craven County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, October 21, 2000
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 135
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: October 21, 2000
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Deputy Matheny was killed after his cruiser was struck by another vehicle.
Deputy Matheny and another deputy were providing a ride home to a citizen as a courtesy and were driving on U.S. 70. A vehicle struck their cruiser, causing the officer to lose control. The cruiser flipped over several times and struck a group of trees. The suspect driver then fled the scene.
Deputy Matheny was flown to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The other deputy and the citizen were injured in the accident.
The driver turned himself in several days later.
Deputy Matheny was a United States Marine Corps veteran, and he had served with the Craven County Sheriff's Department for three years.