Former Wake County Sheriff and 50-year law enforcement veteran Donnie Harrison is still reeling after the
deadly attack on law enforcement
Monday, as four officers with the U.S. Marshal’s task force were killed and four others were shot while trying to serve a warrant on a
convicted felon in possession of a firearm
.
“I’m hurt, and it’s sad that we’ve got to go through this,” Harrison told ABC11. “I’ve lost some deputies. I got shot myself. I know how quickly it can happen, and it’s just sad. We’re one big family. My heart’s aching for them.”
That ache never really goes away. Harrison arrived to the interview wearing a bracelet he never takes off, bearing the names of the several officers he lost while serving.
“It’s possible every time we go out, every time we stop a car. One Sunday afternoon, May 28, 1972. I stopped a car for speed. The guy was driving while impaired. The next thing I know, I’m fighting for my life. The gun is right here. Two guys jumped me and so I made it. God blessed me, and my training kicked in,” Harrison said.