Community honors Northwest police officer with benefit ride

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Two weeks after a Northwest Police Officer died from an apparent gunshot at home, friends honored his memory.

“The community at Northwest, everyone loved him.”

37-year-old Michael Morgan was found dead January 12th from an apparent gunshot wound. Investigators do not suspect foul play and say it was not an intentional self-inflicted injury. Two weeks later, the community remembered the man they lost.

“It shows the humanity, Northwest Police Chief Copelen Taylor said. “It shows the love that we have for Sgt. Morgan and his family, the lives that he touched when he was here. It’s just a great effort of support.”

Chief Taylor said Morgan was a family man and always talked about how he loved his kids. He also said Morgan had the power to make everyone laugh.

“He was just a jokative guy. He could arrest you in a manner that you would thank him later,” Chief Taylor said.

From Wilmington to the Northwest Police Station, dozens of community members and friends came to celebrate Morgan’s life and support the family left behind.

Organizers of the benefit asked for a donation per vehicle. All of the $2,200 raised went to Morgan’s family.