RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. — A Randolph County deputy and his wife have died in a crash Wednesday, according to the sheriff's office.
Deputy John "Davie" Garner and his wife Alisha were traveling back home from vacation at the time of the crash.
The sheriff's office said Garner touched many lives while working there. He retired as a Lieutenant in 2021 with 22 years of faithful service. Upon his retirement, he returned to the sheriff's office, where he was currently serving part-time as a Bailiff.
Friends said that after his retirement, Garner told them he just couldn’t stop working. He loved being around people.
Kelly Owenby worked with Garner at the courthouse and said he loved his job.
“He was always super sweet to people. No matter what they were there for, he was super sweet," Owenby explained.
Keith Owenby worked with Deputy Garner at the sheriff's office, and they became close friends.
He said the deputy was someone you could always count on.
“One of the best crime scene techs that Randolph County has ever had. We were on the SWAT team together. I'd probably say if I'd done 10 search warrants or raids, he was there with me. He was one you'd want behind you because he wasn't afraid to do his job,” Keith Owenby said.
The Randolph County District Attorney shared the following statement:
Many of us in the District Attorney’s Office worked with David for years when he was a Deputy and especially when he served in the RCSO Evidence Control Unit processing crime scenes. We all considered David an excellent officer and a friend. He was very popular as a Bailiff and security officer here in the courthouse after he retired because he was always helpful, kind and dedicated to keeping us safe. David will be greatly missed by everyone in the District Attorney’s Office. We are praying for his family.
As an aside, David’s stepdaughter worked for my wife at The Table for many years. She and her sister are understandably devastated. The whole situation is almost impossibly sad and tragic.
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