Memorials

Deputy Sheriff Steven Christopher Boehm
EOW: June 14, 2008

Deputy Steve Boehm and a local firefighter were struck and killed by a tractor-trailer while directing traffic on US 17. The two, along with a deputy who was injured, were assisting at the scene of a controlled burn at Camp Lejeune.

The driver of the truck has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle and one count of exceeding the safe speed. Deputy Boehm had served with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Master Police Officer Jeremiah Montgomery Goodson, Jr.
EOW: July 17, 2012

Master Police Officer Jeremiah Goodson was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to arrest a man at a local gas station in the 5000 block of Fayetteville Road.

Officer Goodson, who was off duty, was at the gas station and recognized the subject as being wanted on outstanding warrants for possession of a firearm by a felon and failure to appear in court. He called the police department and notified other officers of the subject’s location. Another officer arrived and the two began to approach the car the subject was sitting in. The man opened fire from inside the vehicle, striking Officer Goodson in the chest. The second officer and other responding units took the man into custody.

The 27-year-old ex-convict, who was charged with first-degree murder, is being held without bond in the Cumberland County Jail. He was released from prison in 2007 after serving two years and seven months for a felony breaking and entering conviction. Since 2004 he has been convicted of breaking and entering, larceny, receiving stolen property, motor vehicle theft, and possession of a firearm by a felon. The Robeson County District Attorney said he would be seeking the death penalty in this case. The suspect’s trial began on February 19, 2018. He will not face the death penalty. On March 5, 2018, the suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Officer Goodson had served with the Lumberton Police Department for six years. He is survived by his expectant wife, son, daughter, parents, and two siblings. On June 26, 2015, a new bridge crossing I-95 at exit 22 in Lumberton was named the “Jeremiah M. Goodson Memorial Bridge” in honor of Officer Goodson.

Deputy Sheriff Sypraseuth “Bud” Phouangphrachanh
EOW: March 31, 2020

Deputy Phouangphrachanh had served with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years and was assigned as the school resource officer for the county’s middle schools and high schools. He had previously served with the Candor Police Department. He is survived by his wife, five children, parents, and two brothers.

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Deputy Sheriff Chris Johnson
EOW: February 2, 2024

Deputy Johnson was 51 years old and was assigned as a school resource officer at Highland Middle School. He has served the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office honorably for 16 months. He has previously worked with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office for 16 years and the Dunn Police Department for 9 years. He was a professional law enforcement veteran who was well respected by his colleagues in the profession and in his community.

Sheriff Coats asks that you pray for all the families involved in this tragedy. As we mourn the untimely loss of Deputy Johnson, we recognize the impact he has had on the community where he lived but also the community in which he served. Please continue to pray for not only his family, but also those who he has impacted through his dedicated service to the Harnett County School System.