On May 4th, the Good News Journal published a special edition dedicated to honoring local heroes that put their lives on the line for us everyday. Our purpose was to express our appreciation and our gratitude to all of those who have chosen to serve in the dangerous career of law enforcement.
A little over two weeks later, our community lost one of those heroes, Trooper Samuel Newton Bullard, who died in a fiery crash during a chase that started with a license check in Surry County. A black BMW had failed to stop at the checkpoint and two North Carolina Highway Patrol officers pursued the vehicle onto I-77 south into Yadkin County at around 10:50 p.m. During the pursuit, Bullard veered off the right side of the road, striking a bridge support at mile marker 80. The 22 year old driver of the BMW was later arrested and charged with murder, felony fleeing to elude arrest in a motor vehicle and driving with a revoked license.
Bullard was 24 years old and had been a member of the Highway Patrol for 3 years. His funeral was held on Friday, May 25th at the John A. Walker Community center on the campus of Wilkes Community College where an estimated 1,600 friends, family and fellow law enforcement personal from 16 states mourned the loss of a young man was life was ended way too soon.
Bullard’s casket was brought to the front of the Walker Center by the Highway Patrol’s caisson unit, a horse-drawn military wagon. Another trooper led a riderless horse, symbolizing the fallen member of the Highway Patrol. Governor Roy Cooper, Col. Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the N.C. Highway Patrol and Secretary Erick Hooks, head of the N.C. Department of Public Safety were among the many in attendance. Bullard’s family members and his fiancée, Michelle Mathis, were presented folded flags. Bullard had proposed to Mathis on Easter Sunday- the two were to be married in August.
“Trooper Bullard stepped up and not only did something, he did something extraordinary,” Gov. Cooper stated. “He became a N.C. State Highway Patrol trooper, and he made the ultimate sacrifice. Bullard’s life and death remind people of the hard work that thousands of state troopers and other law enforcement officers do daily. They risk their lives to keep state residents safe.”
Col. McNeill recalled Samuel’s grin, “Trooper Bullard always smiled and maintained a positive attitude. His success as a state trooper was attributed to his unmatched work ethic and the positive things he stood for. He worked diligently to fulfill the duties of his office and to make North Carolina a safer place to live, drive and raise a family. The people Samuel touched and the lives he saved are immeasurable.”
The Rev. Victor Church, pastor of Cranberry Baptist Church, (the church that Mathis attends) also spoke. “Bullard was a thoughtful, kind and loving person, one who worked to achieve his dream. He was a great role model, loved his job and was a successful as a trooper.” He then read from a letter that Mathis wrote to Bullard after he died, “You are the love of my life…. You helped me to become a better Christian.”
Later, Brittany Martin, a friend of both Bullard and Mathis would say, “ He truly made Michelle the happiest I have ever seen her before. Their love will never fade away. Samuel will always be above watching and guiding her in all the right directions. He was one of a kind.”
After the funeral, a nearly 400-vehicle procession of troopers, law enforcement officers and family members and friends made their way to Bullard’s burial at Macedonia Baptist Church in Ronda.
Close friends described Bullard as extremely dependable and honest; a person who went out of his way to help others. He had volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program before joining the NC Highway Patrol. But delivering food was only part of what he did. He became friends with the people he served and was known to do chores for them when he saw a need.
Bullard had always dreamed of being with the Highway Patrol to serve and protect his community. “I think this is exactly what he wanted to do and not a lot of people get to do what they want to do and while it was dangerous, I think he knew the danger or the potential danger and that didn’t stop him from following his dream and pursuing that to be a Highway Patrol,” said Pastor Mike Smith of Macedonia Baptist Church. “He is someone that his community can be proud of and he is someone that the North Carolina Highway Patrol can be proud of as well. He was a very respectful and hardworking young man.”
Bullard was a patriotic man and an avid hunter and fisherman who accomplished much in his short time on this earth. He will be remembered for his incredible kindness and his love for his community. We salute his service, his sacrifice and his dedication to making us all safer. Join us in praying for his family and all of those whose lives he touched and are now mourning the loss of a fallen hero.