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Local highway patrolman reflects on dangers of law enforcement after trooper killed

As people across the state mourn Kevin Conner, an 11-year veteran of North Carolina Highway Patrol, they are reminded of the dangers behind law enforcement.

[RELATED: Driver opens fire on NC trooper during traffic stop, killing him]

"Every time this happens, it strikes a blow to everyone who wears a uniform," said Trooper Ray Pierce.

Conner was shot and killed early Wednesday while conducting a traffic stop on U.S. 701 in Columbus County.

The gunman fired several shots when the trooper walked up to the window, and then fled the scene.

[RELATED: Channel 9 questions how often troopers are held accountable for excessive force]

"This was a traffic stop, something we do every day. A traffic stop is routine. This is a reminder that anything can happen," said Pierce.

The trooper told Channel 9's Gina Esposito that law enforcement is a dangerous job because you never know what people are going to do.

Last December, a local trooper was dragged by a car on Interstate 85 after he pulled someone over for speeding.

[RELATED: Troopers riding school buses to spot drivers ignoring stop arms]

Investigators said the suspect in that case, Adelbert Redo, killed a woman after causing a crash when he fled the scene.

Trooper Samuel Bullard died earlier this year in a crash while chasing a suspect on I-77 in Yadkin County.

Pierce said it's the dangerous and deadly situations that remind troopers to go back to their training.

[RELATED: Drivers rarely abide by Move Over law, troopers say]

"There's always something that goes unfortunately in this line of work. You never know if you're going to make it home at the end of the day. You hope and pray and follow your training and rely on your training, and your skill you learned in patrol school," he said.

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