Funeral held for CMPD officer, mother of 3, killed in crash days before Christmas

Goodwin was killed Wednesday, Dec. 22, just after 3:30 a.m. when two tractor-trailers collided on Interstate 85 southbound near W.T. Harris Boulevard. When the trucks plowed into a group of officers and patrol cars, Goodwin died at the scene, and three other CMPD officers were transported to the hospital.

Goodwin, who had three young children, ages 3, 1 and 4 months, had just returned from maternity leave days earlier, according to CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings. She was married to a Charlotte firefighter.

Jennings briefed Gov. Roy Cooper on the tragedy and said there was an outpouring of support from the city and community, with calls, emails and tweets of condolences.

"We put on this uniform and we know that there's no guarantees that we're coming home to our families, and that is the most difficult," Jennings said, adding, "It's one of these situations where we recognize that life is not guaranteed and life is short and we have to embrace it."

Jennings said the CMPD has already reviewed the video of the collision many times and is working to determine how to improve safety for police officers at crash sites, although it's drivers that have the real impact.

"The only way this doesn't happen is if people recognize that there are blue lights in the roadway, slow down and take extra precaution," he said. "And when you don't do that, you put the lives of men and women who are there to serve and protect in danger."

The crash occurred hours after another wreck on I-85, police say. Goodwin was a third shift officer called to the scene to relieve the officers responding to the first crash.

One of the drivers of the tractor-trailers was taken to the hospital. An investigation is underway, and it has not yet been determined if charges will be appropriate, police said.

Jennings said this is the first time one of his officers has been killed in a crash in the 30 years he has worked at the department.

"We believe the last time happened was in the 1980s," he said.

Jennings said Goodwin was hired in October 2015 and that she loved her job.

"The profession is not just for anyone, but she knew it was for her," he said, asking for prayers for Goodwin's family, the department and the entire city.

Hayworth was also the son of former Zebulon Police Chief Tim Hayworth.