Reporter Journal: Death of Eddie Monroe | News

SALISBURY - The pain is over for Eddie Monroe, so is the separation from his son Justin.

This was already one of the darkest days in Rowan County in recent memory.  Two teenagers died in a car crash on Sherrills Ford Road, then, at just about the same time, I found out that Eddie Monroe had died in a crash on Highway 29 north of Spencer near the old North Carolina Finishing Company location, and not far from the Monroe home.

I don't know the details, only that Eddie, 67, was found in a ditch under a red Dodge pick up truck just after three in the afternoon. 

I first met Eddie under the tragic circumstance of the death of his firefighter son Justin.  Justin and Vic Isler died while fighting the Salisbury Millwork fire in 2008.  Fire Captain Rick Barkley survived, but suffered greatly.  Eddie and Lisa's loss was devastating, as you can imagine.

My recollection at the time is seeing Eddie and Lisa stoically taking part in the funeral and the various services held to honor Vic and Justin.  Lisa frequently leaned, physically and emotionally, on Eddie.  He steadied her during the first year anniversary memorial service in Salisbury.  Eddie and Lisa were still longing for answers about that day in March, 2008, but in the meantime they embraced the heroic image of their son.  That may have been comforting, but the pain was still there.

Then, unbelievably, it got worse.

Eddie nearly died in May of 2011 when he was involved in an accident on his motorcycle.  He recovered, but there was ongoing physical pain.

Today the pain stopped for Eddie.  As a person of faith I do believe that father and son are reunited now.  That may be comforting for Lisa, but you have to know that her loss is almost too much to comprehend.  I would suggest that thoughts and prayers for Lisa, now, and in the days ahead, would be welcomed.