Man kills Moore County deputy, commits suicide

Vass, N.C. — A man shot and killed a Moore County sheriff's deputy Thursday and then committed suicide, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputy Rick Rhyne, 58, responded to a trespassing report at 753 Morrison Bridge Road around noon and found two brothers inside the house.

One of the men, Martin Abel Poynter, 33, had an outstanding warrant for child support. As Rhyne tried to arrest him, Poynter shot the deputy and then killed himself, authorities said.

Poynter's brother witnessed the shooting. He was a bystander and will not be charged, according to Sheriff Lane Carter.

Deputies arrested Poynter at the same house about two or three years ago and took him for a mental evaluation, according to Carter.

Rhyne leaves behind a wife, a son and two grandchildren. He began working with the Moore County Sheriff's Office in 2007 as a part-time resource officer.

Before that, he spent 26 years at Foxfire Village in Moore County, where he served as police chief. He began his law enforcement career in Pinehurst in 1974.

"He was a wonderful man and a great police officer," Carter said. "Whenever you saw Rick, he was always personable. He loved everybody, and he was just a great, great law enforcement officer. He served his community well."

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Latest Comments

flashsparks, WELL SAID!!!

michaelclay
December 9, 2011 1:16 p.m.

Wow, there's always a cop hater that will rear their head no matter the circumstances. Perhaps that person should attend the offier's funeral and then see if they still hold that animosity. If you only walked a mile in an officer's shoes just once you would understand the sadness and the loss.

boneymaroney13
December 9, 2011 12:47 p.m.

"Why did a mentally suspect person have access to firearms?"

You do realize that if you want a gun you can get a gun. What does his mental health have to do with it, if he wanted one there are lots of scumbags out there that would gladly sell to him.

jellybeanz
December 9, 2011 12:42 p.m.

"Thankless? Whats the paycheck for? Benefits? Pensions? LOL wow!"

Oh, well. Another anonymous hard man. Probably sent this with his smartphone from the bar at the country club. But then again, what would you expect from a nom de plume like "Follow the Money."

bgreen
December 9, 2011 12:22 p.m.

I was sorry to read of this happening. My thoughts and prayers go out to both families that are affected.

laurenfedorov
December 9, 2011 12:13 p.m.