Sergeant Lloyd Edward Lowry, 47, was a North Carolina Highway Patrol officer with 22 years’ service who was killed on Interstate 95 in Fayetteville on September 23, 1997. He had stopped a stolen vehicle and called for backup. When Corporal David Hathcock arrived to assist and officers tried to handcuff the occupants, a struggle broke out. A passenger produced an AK-47 and opened fire; the driver then took Lowry’s service weapon and shot him multiple times at close range before fleeing.

The suspects, identified as 17-year-old Tilmon Golphin and 19-year-old Kevin Golphin, were arrested after a brief chase and convicted of capital murder and related charges including armed robbery, possession of a stolen car, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Sentences originally included death penalties that were later commuted to life in prison under subsequent legal changes. Lowry left behind a wife and children; his death was mourned by the community and law enforcement.

If anyone knew Sergeant Lowry or has information about the case, please share what you know.