Man charged with murder after trooper dies in chase in Yadkin County

Officials said Trooper Samuel Newton Bullard, 24, was a three-year veteran assigned to a district in Surry County.

“Our SHP family is devastated by the loss of Trooper Bullard. We are struggling to find words that describe the hurting we feel right now,” said Col. Glenn M. McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Trooper Bullard died as he was fulfilling his promise to the people of North Carolina, protecting and serving his community.”

According to the State Highway Patrol, Bullard was conducting a driver license checkpoint on Monday around 11 p.m. with another trooper, Trooper P.E. Ellis.

When a black BMW failed to stop for the troopers and fled the checkpoint, the troopers pursued the suspect on I-77.

Officials say that when Trooper Ellis noticed he could no longer could see Bullard behind him, he ended the chase. Minutes later, Ellis located Bullard’s vehicle, which had been involved in a crash. Bullard was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"I extend my deepest sorrows to the @NCSHP family as they mourn the loss of Trooper Samuel N. Bullard, who died in a pursuit related motor vehicle collision on Interstate 77 in Yadkin County," tweeted Roxboro Police Chief David Hess. "All @CityofRoxboro Staff will wear a mourning band."

Officials are searching for Dakota Kape Whitt, 22, in connection with the incident. Whitt is charged with murder, felony fleeing to elude arrest and driving with a revoked license.