Autopsy: Shot to chest killed Lumberton officer

A Lumberton police officer was shot four times, and a shot to the left side of his chest was the fatal wound, according to the results of an autopsy.

Dr. Richard Johnson of Southeast Regional Medical Center in Lumberton, who conducted the autopsy, said Master Patrol Officer Jeremiah Goodson, 32, was hit a second time in the chest, but Johnson declined to release the location of the other two wounds, citing the family's right to privacy.

Goodson was off duty on July 17 when he spotted a man wanted for outstanding warrants at Xpress Depot, a gas station at 5030 Fayetteville Road. As he approached, the man opened fire and killed him, but another officer immediately detained the gunman.

Marques Ramon Brown, 27, is charged with first-degree murder in the case and is being held without bond in the Cumberland County jail for safekeeping. Robeson County District Attorney Johnson Britt has said he plans to seek the death penalty against Brown.

Hundreds of people paid their respects to Goodson at his funeral Tuesday morning at Lumberton High School, where he had been a school resource officer.

Goodson served six years on the Lumberton police force and was a member of the gang unit.

He is survived by his wife, Lametria, who is expecting the couple's second child, and a 2-year-old daughter.