Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Gene Demuth was struck and killed by the driver of a vehicle on U.S. 64, near the Pine Street overpass in Spring Hope, Nash County, while attempting to deploy spike strips during a pursuit at approximately 7:45 am.
The pursuit started when officers from the Raleigh Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver, who was wanted on multiple charges, including two counts of kidnapping, immediately fled at a high speed. Trooper Demuth was struck by the subject's vehicle as he attempted to deploy the spike strips. The man continued to flee but was taken into custody a short distance away after he crashed into a guardrail. The dash camera in a Nash County deputy sheriff's car shows that the suspect intentionally swerved to hit Trooper Demuth.
The 40-year-old suspect was admitted to Nash General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Three days later, he was transferred to Central Prison in Raleigh, where he is being held under a two-million-dollar bond. In addition to charges stemming from the Raleigh incident, he has been charged with felony murder, driving while impaired, and speeding to elude arrest.
On January 22, 2014, the suspect was convicted of first-degree burglary, common law robbery, and two counts of first-degree kidnapping in Wake County and sentenced to 13.5 to 18.3 years in prison. A week later, he pled guilty to second-degree murder in Nash County and was sentenced to 21 to 26 years. He will spend a minimum of 35 years in prison.
Trooper Demuth was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 12 years and was assigned to the Rocky Mount, Troop C District 1 Highway Patrol Office. He began his law enforcement career in 1994 as a deputy with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office until moving over to the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office. Before joining the patrol, he was an officer with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section.
On September 8, 2016, the U.S. 64 bridge over Red Oak Road in Nash County was named in his honor.
Survivors
Trooper Demuth is survived by his wife, 8-year-old son, mother, sister, brother, niece, and two nephews.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-6DFE353C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Demuth gave the North Carolina Highway Patrol 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of North Carolina. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Bobby Gene Demuth, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper Bobby Gene Demuth, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At North Carolina Highway Patrol, 23 of 69 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bobby Gene Demuth, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Bobby Gene Demuth, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 26 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bobby Gene Demuth, Jr. is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bobby Gene Demuth, Jr. was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
68 officers from North Carolina Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
