Holly MatkinChapel Hill, NC – Chapel Hill Police Department (CHPD) Officer Michael “Mike” Mineer died on May 8 after crashing into the back of a logging truck.
The fatal collision occurred on U.S. 421 in Chatham County at approximately 3:39 p.m., Chapelboro.com reported.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCHP) said a logging truck was stopped in the travel lane due to slow traffic ahead when the off-duty officer “failed to reduce speed” and crashed into the vehicle from behind with his SUV.
Officer Mineer, 55, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew confirmed the death of the veteran officer the following morning.
“We are mourning the loss of one of our Guardians of the Hill,” Chief Lehew wrote in a statement. “Yesterday, Officer Mike Mineer died in a vehicle crash in Chatham County.”
Officer Mineer served the CHPD for 19 years and was assigned to the Patrol Division at the time of his death.
His friend, Joe Sewell, told WTVD Officer Mineer was a U.S. Army veteran who served as a military police officer prior to joining the CHPD.
“Mike was a dedicated family man and a caring colleague,” Chief Lehew said. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends—including his CHPD family—in this difficult time. We are doing all that we can to lift them up, and we ask that everyone give them the space they need to grieve.”
Officer Mineer leaves behind his partner, Jamelle Emerson, and his son, Jagger Emerson, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his four sisters, his stepparents, and many uncles, aunts, and extended family members.
Officer Mineer was laid to rest on May 16.
𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗵𝗲𝘄
We are mourning the loss of one of our Guardians of the Hill. Yesterday, Officer Mike Mineer died in a vehicle crash in Chatham County.
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— Chapel Hill Police (@ChapelHillPD) May 9, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Chapel Hill Police Department Officer Michael “Mike” Mineer, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
