GREENSBORO (WFMY) - The Greensboro police officer who died Saturday night while responding to a call was identified as Jared William Franks.
Franks, 24, died when his car collided with another police car responding to a robbery call near South Elm Eugene Street and Webster Road. His car then struck a house. Franks and another officer were taken to the hospital. The second officer did not have life-threatening injuries.
"Always trying to make a difference in somebody's life every day. He just had a mission to really have a positive impact," said Mickey Luker who has known Franks since 2012.
Greensboro police chief Wayne Scott says Franks is the first Greensboro officer to die on-duty in 17 years. Franks was assigned to the District Two Patrol Division and joined GPD in June of 2016. He was a member of the GPD’s 101st Police Academy.
"I've dealt with a lot of loss, but this one probably cut the deepest -- just based on the caliber of person that he was," said Dale Smith who met Franks in Cullowhee at Western Carolina University.
Scott says this is one of the most trying times he's experienced as Chief.
"It is with a heavy heart that this department and this community have lost a hero," Scott said during a news conference Sunday.
The actual crime Franks responded to is still under investigation.
Any public condolences can be directed to Greensboro Police Department Watch Operations at 100 E. Police Plaza, Greensboro NC, 27402.
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