CORNELIUS, N.C. — A woman who never met Officer Gabriel Stainback brought flowers to a makeshift memorial for the officer who was killed on Saturday.
Lala Horne of Columbia wishes she could’ve been at the memorial, too.
She was a classmate of Officer Stainback, who she said helped get her through high school.
Word of the officer’s death on Saturday came as a blow to her.
“I mean, everyone is shocked,” she said.
Horne and Stainback were schoolmates at Concord middle and high schools.
On Saturday a car hit Stainback as he and his wife were riding bikes on Miami Church Road in Concord.
“Out of everyone, why him?” He was a ray of sunshine. He made everyone laugh," Horne said.
Horne said his words helped her when she was struggling and needed it most. During their senior year, Stainback would ask why she was trying to give up when they were so close to graduating.
They both attended Bethel Baptist Church in Kannapolis. During that time, she learned Stainback was the child of African immigrants.
Stainback went on to become a standout athelet at High Point University. The school is also mourning his loss.
Stainback joined the Cornelius Police Department in December of last year. The chief called him a servant in every aspect of his life.
Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Cornelius officers are currently preparing for his memorial service.
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