RALEIGH, N.C. — The family of North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Conner, who was killed in the line of duty, were at the General Assembly to unveil "Connor's Law."
Conner was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Oct. 17, 2018, in Columbus County.
Two state lawmakers are working to improve the protections in place for families who have experienced that loss.
North Carolina House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) and Deputy House Majority Leader Brenden Jones (R-Columbus) joined Conner's family to unveil the law, which will enhance penalties for deadly assaults on law enforcement officers and increase the death benefits paid to the families of officers killed in the line of duty.
"Any person who commits an assault with a firearm upon a law enforcement officer, probation officer, or parole officer while the officer is in the performance of his or her duties is guilty of a Class D felony," the bill reads.
Raheem Davis, 20, of Chadbourn, and Chauncey Askew, 18, are both charged in Conner's death. Authorities say Davis pulled onto the shoulder after a traffic stop on U.S. 701 near Sellers Town Road around 12:15 a.m. and when Conner made his approach to the vehicle, Davis fired several shots, hitting Conner in the head and torso.
Conner tried to give a description of the suspect vehicle to a bystander who called 911.
Conner died from his injuries on the way to a local hospital. Conner is survived by a wife and two children.
Authorities said Askew was in the truck when the shooting occurred and fled the scene with Davis.