2004 Garner murder case: Police seek tips as officer remains person of interest

Authorities are asking for the public's help in closing a decades-old cold case of a popular Garner teen’s mysterious death.

Josh Davis was 16 years old when he was killed on Jan. 6, 2004. In 2007, investigators concluded that Davis was hit by a car and died from his injuries. Twenty-two years later, officials consider the case a homicide and are continuing to investigate all possible angles.  

On Tuesday, the Garner Police Department announced that additional information had emerged and it would be partnering with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) on the case. It did not elaborate on what new information had emerged. 

Anyone who was in the area at the time, heard rumors, had a conversation, or remembers anything, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is asked to come forward now. They are asked to reach out to the Garner Police Department at 919-890-7318 or the NCSBI immediately at 888-624-7222. Tips can be anonymous.  

 WRAL reported recently that investigators had begun focusing on a Four Oaks police officer.

The extent of the officer's involvement is still unclear, as the officer is described as a person of interest in the case. No charges have been filed as of Tuesday.

WRAL News is not naming the officer as they have not been charged at this point. A warrant revealed authorities worked off a tip from a former spouse of the officer and labeled the officer as a suspect.

On Monday, April 20, the Four Oaks Police Department confirmed the officer is a person of interest in the 2004 homicide investigation. The officer is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation and the Garner Police Department. The investigation started on April 16.

A warrant said the officer was uncooperative and unresponsive in recent attempts to schedule an interview about the case and gave "numerous inconsistencies" in statements in 2004 and again in 2025.

On March 31, the officer in question's home in Benson was searched by the State Bureau of Investigation, which is assisting Garner police in the case. Authorities seized an iPhone and a laptop, according to the warrant. 

The SBI released a statement on the matter, saying, "The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Garner Police Department with information concerning a 2004 cold case. The SBI is actively investigating new leads in this case. At this time, no additional information is available, and we will share new details as they become available."