SUPPLY, NC : Southport officer dies in early morning car crash on Sunday, March 12th 2017

Southport Police Officer Jason Freeman, 29, died in an off-duty car crash early Sunday morning.

NC Highway Patrol said Freeman was driving on Stone Chimney Road in his patrol car around 5 a.m. when he ran off the road to the right and hit a ditch. Southport Police Chief Gary Smith said driving a patrol car while off duty which is against the department's policy.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

"This is heartbreaking," Chief Gary Smith said. "His family is in our prayers."Freeman had been with the Southport Police Department for less than a year. He was an officer in Ocean Isle Beach prior to his role in Southport, neighbor Donald Pennington said you could tell Freeman loved being a cop.

"You could tell the pride he took in wearing his uniform, making sure his uniform was on right and taken care of and polished up," Pennington said.

Pennington said Freeman had two young children, and a loving wife.

"I am sure this is so hard for them, the neighborhood is just praying for the family, this is going to take some time," Pennington said.

Freeman is credited for saving two lives during his years of being an officer and was instrumental in helping with the school traffic safety system in Southport.

"Officer Freeman could be relied upon for all tasks presented to him and he set examples for others to follow. Jason went above and beyond the call of duty to help others," Chief Smith stated.

It is unclear why Freeman was driving his patrol vehicle while not on duty. His last shift with the department was Thursday, March 9. Smith said it is against policy to drive a patrol vehicle off duty.

Highway Patrol investigators say speed was a factor in the crash.

There was no one else in the vehicle when the crash happened and there were no other vehicles involved in the crash.

Freeman leaves behind a young daughter and a newborn son.

Freeman's funeral will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Southport Baptist Church with a burial to follow at Cape Fear Memorial Gardens.

Source :
Southport officer dies in early morning car crash