Hundreds attend DeMuth's funeral

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North Carolina State Troopers funeral detail pays homage to their comrade, Bobby Gene DeMuth, Wednesday during the slain officer funeral. DeMuth was killed in the line of duty Saturday. (Staff photo/Calvin Adkins) For The Daily Southerner
North Carolina State Troopers carry Trooper Bobby Gene DeMuth from Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. Hundreds of law enforcement officers attended the funeral. For The Daily Southerner

September 13, 2012

Hundreds attend DeMuth's funeral

FALLEN TROOPER

The Daily Southerner Calvin Adkins The Daily Southerner Thu Sep 13, 2012, 11:22 AM EDT

TARBORO — ROCKY MOUNT — North Carolina State Trooper Bobby Gene DeMuth was laid to rest Wednesday.

Fellow troopers carried his body from Englewood Baptist Church and carefully positioned it on the caisson of the North Carolina Troopers Association Caisson Unit. An American flag, flying half mast, waved in the wind as his family and friends tearfully watched the horses as they slowly walked out of the church parking lot and onto the street while ehind the horse and caisson, three troopers marched in unison along with a lone horse and rider.

DeMuth's family and friends stood outside the church and watched until the unit was out-of-sight.

That was the scene following the funeral service of DeMuth, who was hit and killed by a vehicle driven by a fleeing individual Saturday while attempting to deploy stop sticks on U.S. 64 in Nash County.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers, emergency management service personnel, friends and family filled Englewood Baptist Church to near capacity. The procession of the law enforcement officers included Edgecombe County Sheriff Office deputies, Tarboro police officers and other surrounding towns as well as officers from Illinois, West Virginia., South Carolina, Indiana and Alaska lasted approximately 30 minutes.

DeMuth was a 12-year veteran trooper and a native of Edgecombe County who lived in Nash County. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1988 to 1992 and in 1994, he joined the Wilson County Sheriff's Office. Six years later, he became a deputy for Edgecombe County Sheriff's Department.

Following a two-year stint with Edgecombe County, he began working for the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and in 2003, he transfered to the highway patrol.

He was remembered as man with a golden smile who loved his family, his job and his community.

"One of the first things that I noticed about Gene was his smile — it went from ear to ear," said State Trooper Lt. Steve Finney, who was DeMuth's instructor when he attended trooper academy. "No matter how much I yelled, he would still smile."

Finney told a story about DeMuth's graduation, noting that when he stopped in front of DeMuth to pin his badge as a ceremonial gesture, the Edgecombe County native cried.

"Tears rolled down his eyes. A short time latter another tear rolled down his other eye. This one didn't get too far. It dropped in his mouth, because his smile went from ear-to-ear. He was a special guy."

The Rev. Gene Wells said DeMuth gave 110 percent on his job, to his family and to his friends. He said don't ask why DeMuth was killed, but reflect on the good life that he lived.

Edgecombe County Deputy Sheriff Ron Bentley befriended DeMuth when he worked for the county. Bentley was devastated when he heard the news of DeMuth's death.

"Part of me died right then," Bently said. "I still can't believe it.

One thing about Gene, you can be down and as soon as he comes around he would brighten up your day. It was something about his smile that lifted people. I already miss Gene."

Edgecombe County Dispatcher Nelson Best also attended the funeral. Best said he and DeMuth attended kindergarten together. The friendship grew and the two became lifelong friends. Best, too, is hurt by DeMuth's death.

"Gene was a great guy — always full of life," Best said. "I don't think he had any enemies. It hurts to know that he is no longer with us."

DeMuth is survived by his wife, Michelle DeMuth; his son, Trevor DeMuth; his mother, Mildred Posey Karachun; his sister, Kathy Marshall and his brother John Clifton DeMuth.

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