Family, friends mourn 51-year NC law enforcement officer at funeral

A longtime law enforcement officer in North Carolina died Tuesday in his Harnett County home.

Mike Robertson, who was working for the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, held several law enforcement positions across the state over a 51-year career. He was 75.

“It’s a big loss for all of us,” Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats said. “Like I said in the service, he was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge in law enforcement.

“But most of all, [he was] a man of faith and a personal friend of mine. This went back farther than our law enforcement career.”

Family and friends held a funeral service for Robertson on Friday at the Northwood Temple Church in Fayetteville.

Robertson also worked for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

"Our departed brother lived a righteous life,” State Highway Patrol Col. Freddy Johnson said. “[He led] a life of service and commitment to others. Fifty-one years is a long time to be a law enforcement officer."

During that time, Robertson trained many of the officers who came to say goodbye, including Bladen County Sheriff James McVicker.

WRAL News asked McVicker how he thinks Robertson will be remembered.

“As a man of value,” McVicker said. “A man of character and trustworthy and loved to help people.”