North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina
End of Watch Monday, May 21, 2018
Add to My HeroesSamuel Newton Bullard
Trooper Samuel Bullard was killed in a vehicle crash while involved in a pursuit on I-77, near mile marker 82 in Yadkin County, at approximately 11:00 pm.
He and another trooper were conducting a drivers license checkpoint when a black BMW sped through and refused to stop. The troopers pursued the vehicle onto I-77. When the lead trooper no longer saw Trooper Bullard behind him, and could not raise him on the radio, he broke off the pursuit and turned around. Trooper Bullard's vehicle was located at mile marker 82 at a bridge abutment fully engulfed in flames.
The vehicle that was being pursued was later found abandoned. The driver was identified, arrested, and charged with murder, felony eluding, and driving on a revoked license.
On March 19, 2019, the 23-year-old driver pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Two passengers who tried to hide the car were also sentenced to prison.
Trooper Bullard had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for three years and was assigned to Surry County.
He is survived by his fiancee, parents, brother, sister, grandparents, and extended family.
Bio
- Age 24
- Tour 3 years
- Badge E532
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicle pursuit
- Weapon Automobile
- Offender Sentenced to 12 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 216 ReflectionsRest easy
Mark Mottola
May 23, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Patrick Barnes
Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department, MS
EOW: April 10, 2021

Sergeant James Smith
Iowa State Patrol, IA
EOW: April 9, 2021

Police Officer Brent Nelson Hall
Newton Grove Police Department, NC
EOW: April 3, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Christopher Wilson Knight
Bibb County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 6, 2021

Chief of Police Fred Alan Posavetz
Clinton Township Police Department, MI
EOW: March 22, 2021

Corrections Officer Luis Arturo Hernandez, Sr.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: March 31, 2021

Lieutenant James Kouski
Hometown Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2021

Police Officer William Evans
United States Capitol Police, US
EOW: April 2, 2021

Sergeant Shane Owens
Broward County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: March 27, 2021