Sergeant dies after Monday morning standoff; one deputy released from ECU Health

DUDLEY, N.C. (WITN) - A Wayne County deputy has been released from the hospital, while a second deputy has died after Monday’s standoff on Arrington Bridge Road.

Sgt. Matthew Fishman passed away at ECU Health Medical Center, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sergeant was one of three deputies injured as they were attempting to serve involuntary commitment papers on Jourdan Hamilton. After a 10-hour standoff, deputies said a SWAT team found the 23-year-old man dead inside the home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Just before 2:00 p.m., Deputy Alexander Torres was released from the Greenville hospital. The 27-year-old deputy was being escorted by about two dozen law enforcement vehicles.

At last report, Corporal Andrew Cox, 37, was in stable condition at ECU Health.

Sgt. Fishman had been a deputy since December 2010, and before that was an officer in Mount Olive. Cox has been with Wayne County since June of 2020, coming from the Goldsboro Police Department, while Tores has been a deputy since June of 2018 and before that was also employed by Mount Olive police.

A news release said Sheriff Larry Pierce thanked each officer and first responder for their support and asked for prayers for the families involved during this difficult time.

Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Sgt. Fishman. “Last night and this morning I talked with Sheriff Pierce and I extend my deepest sympathy and gratitude to the Fishman family for Matthew’s life, courage, and service to the people of his county and state,” said the governor.

Eastern Carolinians are reacting to the deadly standoff Tuesday.

“It’s terrible anytime you hear about things like that. My heart goes out to the officers that were involved, but also just the individual that was involved. It’s terrible anytime you hear about things happening like this,” Goldsboro resident Kevin McNeil said.

Noah Smith, also of Goldsboro, says he comes from a family of policemen.

“Just someone going to do their job, but then being gunned down like they were... it’s very... it hits harder, because I’ve had my grandfather almost die in the line of duty,” Smith said. “So seeing that happen, it just reminds me of what could’ve happened to him in the line of duty.”

The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting.

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