Bethel Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, November 20, 1993
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 602
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: November 20, 1993
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Charged with traffic violations
Corporal James Outlaw was killed when his patrol car struck a tree during a vehicle pursuit on U.S. 13 south of Bethel.
Corporal Outlaw was riding with a trainee when they attempted to stop a suspected DUI driver. The suspect fled, and the officers pursued him. During the pursuit, the vehicle went off of the wet roadway and struck a tree. Corporal Outlaw succumbed to his injuries before he could be extricated from the vehicle. His trainee sustained serious injuries and had to medically retire. The suspect was apprehended in a neighboring jurisdiction but was only charged with traffic violations and was not charged in connection with Corporal Outlaw's death.
Corporal Outlaw was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Bethel Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and child.
As a result of Corporal Outlaw's death, and other high-profile cases, the North Carolina General Assembly later changed the law to make speeding to elude an officer a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Corporal Outlaw was posthumously recognized by the North Carolina DARE Officer's Association for his work as a DARE officer.