Family, friends mourn loss of Trooper Brent Montgomery

A North Carolina state trooper, who had been battling COVID-19 in the ICU for over a month, died on Monday.

Trooper Brent Montgomery was on life support and on a ventilator.

Salutes to Montgomery were evident on I-85 north to Henderson Tuesday.

"It takes your breath away," Montgomery's wife, Heather Montgomery said. "Every bridge had a fire truck on it. It was like the President of the United States was going down 85."

Montgomery tested positive for the virus on Feb. 1. Family members said he pushed through it for several days until his oxygen levels dropped and he went to the hospital.

Heather Montgomery gave us regular mileposts on Facebook: Brent is stable. Brent has made a turn for the worse. And, finally: Brent has lost his battle.

"That was something God really laid on my heart to do, and I'm glad I did it, because it touched so many people through Brent's struggle, and it changed so many lives," Heather Montgomery said.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol posted on its Facebook page to honor Brent.

"Brent was a true warrior, who fought a courageous battle against COVID-19 with the love and support of his wife, Heather, and their three children," it said.

Heather Montgomery says she's having a hard time accepting that her husband and other officers weren't first in line for COVID vaccinations.

"I'm probably madder at that situation, and more frustrated, that law enforcement officers weren't in the line with health care workers, because sometimes they're the first on the scene," she said. "And if he'd gotten his vaccine, he'd still be alive."

After his passing, Heather Montgomery went on Facebook to give us this milepost: "BRENT IS HEALED IN JESUS' NAME! The best update I could ever give!"

"God was with us every step of the way, and he is revealing to us now, like why things happen the way they did. Everything had a purpose."

Funeral arrangements for Montgomery are pending.