Bridge To Honor Fallen Officer

A ceremony and bridge dedication Friday will honor a fallen local officer.

Franklin Dale “Frankie” Perritte died in a car crash while pursuing a felony suspect in Cumberland County in 1995. Perritte was with the Division of Motor Vehicles at the time, but he previously served with the Tabor City Police, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Lake Tabor, followed by the official naming of the Beaverdam Bridge on N.C. 410 in his honor. The bridge is located between Tabor City and Chadbourn, near Beaverdam Road.

Perritte was known as a devoted family man who was always willing to help anyone in need. He is one of 13 local officers who died in the line of duty since the early 1900s.