Investigators are still hard at work tracing the incidents that led upto the Tuesday shooting. They are not revealing much information aboutwhat they have found. They have, however, said they have interviewedseveral witnesses who have helped them compile enough information toobtain a search warrant affidavit.
Most law enforcement officers agree that the two slain men never had achance. According to papers filed in the warrant request, Trooper Lowryhad pulled over the two suspects, teenaged brothers Kevin and TilmonGolphin, andhad Kevin Golphin, 17, in his patrol car while he wrote a ticket. While inthe car, a dispatcher told him the Toyota Camry the Golphins were ridingin was stolen, and that the men inside should be considered armed anddangerous.
Lowry then pulled Kevin Golphin out of the patrol car and wasattempting to handcuff him when the suspect began to struggle. That's whenLowry asked Hathcock to help, but Tilmon Golphin, 19, grabbed aChinese-madeSKS automatic rifle from the Camry's back seat and opened fire on the twoofficers. He, according to papers, shot and killed Hathcock, then shot atLowry. Kevin Golphin then grabbed Lowry's gun and shot the officerseveral more times.
Cumberland County Sheriff Earl "Moose" Butler says the Golphins'alleged actions show a total disregard for life.
Butler says investigators believe the two officers had no time torespond to the gunfire.
Cumberland County Chief Deputy Cuyler Windham says law enforcement willbe stationed all over the area to assist with the procession.
Funeral processions for both services will start at the Auditoriumon State Highway 301. The procession from Trooper Lowry's funeral willtravel north on 301 and turn onto Owen Drive. The cars will travel downOwen drive until it turns into All American Freeway. The cars will thenturn on Raeford Road heading for Cumberland Memorial Gardens, which ison the left.
The procession for Deputy Hathcock procession also begins at theAuditorium, but traffic will travel south on 301 to State Highway 59.The procession will then follow down 59 to South Main Street in HopeMills toward Gilmont Cemetery.
Thursday evening, the community will begin to pay tribute to the slain officers. The public is welcome to attend visitation services from 7 to 9p.m. Thursday. Visitation for Trooper Ed Lowry will be held at theCumberland County Civic Center. The service for Deputy David Hathcock willbe held at the Cumberland Church of God on Hope Mills Road.
The funerals will take place Friday. Both services will be held atthe Cumberland County Civic Center. Lowry's service begins 11 a.m. Hathcock's funeral begins at 2 p.m.
Windham says thousands of officers from as far away as California willattend the services in a strong show of loyalty.
In addition to their friends in law enforcement, both men left behindfamilies. Hathcock is survived by a wife and three sons. Lowry leavesbehind a wife, two daughters and a grandchild.
To donate to a scholarship fund for Trooper Lowry's children, sendcontributions to:Trooper Lloyd "E" Lowry Scholarship Fund,Triangle Bank, P.O. Box 20485, Greenville, NC, 27858. Todonate to a fund for Deputy Hathcock's dependents, send contributions to:First Citizens Bank, 3626, North Main Street, Hope Mills, NC28348.
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