James Roy Outlaw

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.