Authorities said former officer Iris Motley was killed in a crash along Highway 70 at Jessup Drive.
The police department said in a Thursday morning message, Motley was the first woman hired by the Garner Police Department and the first woman officer retiree.
Motley had a lengthy resume in her community. In her years at GPD, Motley served as a patrol officer on the crime prevention team and a dare officer for Creech road and Vance elementary schools.