North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina
End of Watch: Thursday, December 21, 1972
Age: 56
Tour of Duty: 25 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: December 13, 1972
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman East succumbed to injuries sustained a week earlier in an automobile accident during a pursuit in Raleigh at US-1 and US-401.
He was pursuing a vehicle when he struck a bridge abutment, suffering major injuries. He was rushed to North Carolina Hospital where his left leg was amputated.
Patrolman East was a U.S Army veteran of WWII and had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 25 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.