If you may recall the needless drive by killing of John Palmer back on 07/25/2022 at 0455 hrs. John Palmer was a Cadet Sergeant in my Explorer Post during the Department of Public Safety Years. Cadet Sergeant Palmer was well known to both the Fire Division and the Police Division as we trained between both Career path choices. Cadet Sergeant Palmer was one of the nicest kids that you would’ve ever met.

Although he did not want to pursue a career in Law Enforcement or Firefighting, he used his skills that he earned within the Explorer Program of respect for others and discipline, Leadership, a love for his community and good work ethics in his chosen career of Environmental Services and Maintenance over at UNC Lenoir Hospital. John loved to dance. He did a specific style of dancing that expressed his joy and emotions to his friends and colleagues.

John never had a mean streak in his body and anyone that had ever met him fell in love with his good nature and charm. John kept to himself and loved his family wholeheartedly. He was a very devoted father to his four children, Kayden, 9 Years old, Zayden, 8 Years old, and the twins Amiyah and Aniyah, 6 Years old. Mom’s Name is Samantha, 26 Years old and she has a 1-Year-old Renesmee.

He worked two jobs just to ensure the family’s needs were met. He worked at his primary job at the hospital and a part time job at Bojangles located on North Herritage Street. He was shot while trying to go into work at Bojangles that fateful day just south of the UNC Lenoir Hospital Emergency Drive. The man was so honorable, that he called into Bojangles and told them he could not report to work because he was shot and had to go to the hospital. Even in his time of death he was thinking of others before himself and his needs.

The crews of Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue would like to make this family’s Christmas a very special one in their great time of Grief and Suffering when they lost their dad. We raised a fair amount of money to buy some presents and also to provide a Walmart Gift-card to assist the family during the holiday season. We also reached out to KDPS Explorer Post 1033 Alumni to have them participate and be here for support as well. Ms. Cathy Reese, whom was over the KPD Explorer Post, along whom helped me with the KDPS Explorer Post 1033 and now works with Downtown Kinston (PRIDE) and I would like to Honor Cadet Sergeant John Palmer’s Memory by ensuring his family is not forgotten and taken care of. We will be having a little presentation and pizza party and a tour of the fire station with his kids.

They had the presentation and pizza party on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 6 pm at the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue’s Station 1, 401 E Vernon Avenue, Kinston, North Carolina 28501.

BOILERPLATE:

The Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue is dedicated in placing the highest priority in serving the community to keep them and their property safe. We value the community’s assistance in all matters dealing with life safety, fire prevention and apprehension of fire setters.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Captain William Barss at 252-526-2713, or email william.barss@ci.kinston.nc.us