State trooper resigns amid investigation

Larry B. Lovick, 31, who was assigned to Troop C in Wake County, resigned Monday, Highway Patrol spokesman Maj. Everett Clendenin said. Citing privacy laws, Clendenin declined to say why Lovick resigned or why he was under investigation.

Jennifer Canada, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Justice, said the Highway Patrol on Tuesday asked that the State Bureau of Investigation initiate an investigation into Lovick. She did not say why.

Lovick, who had been with the Highway Patrol since June 2004, said Wednesday he has "been done wrong" but would not comment on specific allegations.

He said he resigned because he was aware that he would be fired and that he wanted to protect his wife and children from the accusations.

He added that he was not aware of an SBI investigation.

"I didn't do anything wrong to be charged criminally," he said. "I just want to move on."

A series of misconduct cases involving troopers has rocked the Highway Patrol's image over the past several years.

A number of troopers and officers have been disciplined or fired for offenses that included profiling young women for traffic stops, drunken driving, animal abuse and having sex on duty.

In May, Col. Randy Glover, commander of the Highway Patrol, sent a memo to troopers saying members who embarrass the organization would be dealt with.

"It's important to us that we maintain the public's trust," Clendenin said. "The Highway Patrol has zero tolerance for any type of possible criminal activity, and that is why we're trying to get to the bottom of it."