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David Shawn Cortner
Incident
Probation Officer David Cortner was killed when his department vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle which had crossed the center line of State Road 1116 in Franklin County. Officer Cortner was performing curfew checks on probationers at the time of the accident.
Officer Cortner had served with the North Carolina Division of Community Corrections for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Probation Officer Cortner gave the North Carolina Department of Public Safety 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of North Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Probation Officer Cortner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Division of Community Corrections has lost 4 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1999, 5 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1999, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1999, 78 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 61st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 36. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. David had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
David was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. David had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. David had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Mondays: 10.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Division of Community Corrections, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Division of Community Corrections has 4 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Division of Community Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
