Though we say goodbye & job well done, we will never forget badge 1355. This week’s QDR Hometown Hero is Knightdale Police Officer, Ryan Hayworth, who died in the line of duty in a collision on 540 early Sunday morning, October 17th.

At 23 years old & only 3 months on the force, Ryan was serving as a Specialist in the Army National Guard, and had served in Kuwait during Operation Enduring Freedom, for which he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and many other honors. Officer Cody Hagler, who had been training Officer Hayworth, was also seriously injured in the collision. He is in recovery. Special Accounts have been set up at State Employees Credit Union in Officer Hayworth’s name. And another in officer Hagler’s name.

Officer Ryan Hayworth will be honored tonight with a candlelight vigil at Knightdale Station Park at 6:00pm. A service to celebrate his life will be held Friday, October 22nd at 1pm at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens on Gannon Ave in Zebulon.

Knightdale Police Officer Ryan Hayworth, our QDR Hometown Hero of the week!