LUMBERTON — A Fayetteville police officer’s petition to name a bridge for Jeremiah Goodson, a Lumberton police officer who was shot and killed on July 17, has surpassed a goal of 2,000 signatures the petitioner believes is enough to demonstrate “overwhelming support” from the community for the honor.
The petition, which can be found at www.ipetitions.com/widget/view/491885, had 2,077 signatures at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Detective Stig Larson, who lives in Lumberton, has said he thinks 2,000 signatures should get the attention of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which will make the final decision as to the name of the bridge that will be built as part of a reconfiguration of Exit 22, the intersection of Interstate 95 and U.S. 301.
Larson has said he would love to see the words “Master Police Officer Jeremiah M. Goodson Jr. Memorial Bridge” on a sign placed at the new interchange in time for its grand opening. His effort to name the bridge after the fallen officer was endorsed by the Lumberton City Council at its October meeting.
The petition, online since Oct. 3, had a little more than 1,600 signatures on Thursday before a link to the petition was placed on The Robesonian’s Facebook page. The post received more than 20 “likes” and “shares.” Several people who left their signature on the petition also wrote a message.
“A wonderful gesture within reach that will mean a the world to this family,” a post by Debbie Castillo reads. “Heroes should be honored and never forgotten.”
Brandy Marks, who signed the petition on Oct. 4, wrote “Jeremiah was a great man and what better way to honor his life by naming a bridge after him. He gave his life to save many others.”
Goodson was killed while attempting to serve a warrant for the arrest of 27-year-old Marques Brown, who is accused of shooting Goodson multiple times as he approached Brown’s vehicle at the Xpress Depot at 5030 Fayetteville Road. Brown is charged with first-degree murder and is being held in jail without bond.
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