LINCOLN DEPUTIES AID IN SEARCH FOR CALDWELL DEUPTY’S KILLER SUNDAY
Reward now $25,000 for Skip Brinkley

By Jon Mayhew




LENOIR, NC – Members of the Lincoln County tactical team were in Caldwell County again, aiding law enforcement from across the state in looking for Skip Brinkley. Brinkley, who shot and killed Deputy Adam Klutz Friday night and wounded another officer, still remained at large as of early Monday morning.

The U.S. Marshal’s office and the FBI are offering a $10,000 reward each and Governor Mike Easley has said the state will offer a reward of up to $5,000 for Brinkley, who disappeared after the shootings.



The investigation and search for Brinkley stopped long enough Tuesday afternoon to pay respects to the fallen deputy. A motorcade left Mackie-High Funeral Home in Granite Falls and headed for Mountain Grove Baptist Church. An Honor Guard escorted a horse-drawn carriage carrying Klutz's casket down Connelly Springs Road to Mountain Grove Baptist Church for Tuesday's night's receiving.

"This is a way to honor (Klutz) with a show of support, and not only him, but his family," B.J. Fore, Public Information Officer for the Caldwell COunty Sheriff's Department said of the procession. "This begins the healing process for us. It shows how much we loved Adam." Law enforcement officials from across the state are expected to attend the funeral.

Klutz was gunned down Friday around 9:30 p.m. while responding to a 911 hang-up call. Authorities said Monday morning Klutz was ambushed by Brinkley while responding to the call.



Deputies providing backup discovered Klutz’s body behind a police cruiser and exchanged fire with the suspect. Lieutenant Chris Martin was shot three times, but his bullet proof vest absorbed the bullets. After firing more than 15 rounds total at the suspect, the officers rushed Klutz to the hospital, where he later died.

Flags at the Caldwell County Jail were at half staff to mourn the first deputy killed in the line of duty since 1969.

Klutz, 24, had been with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office for only about 18 months. He was a road deputy for the past six months.

CCSO spokesperson B.J. Fore told WSOC-TV that he trained Klutz.

“He could take a joke as good as he could give one,” said Klutz.

Brinkley, who has Army tactical training, also served as a police officer in Seneca, SC. The FBI said over the weekend Klutz was armed with two rifles, a Glock handgun and at least six full magazines of ammunition. They believe Klutz was shot to death with one of the rifles.

The incident started as an argument between Brinkley and his live-in girlfriend, only identified as “Jennifer” by the FBI.

According to the girlfriend, Brinkley became enraged after the girlfriend drank two glasses of wine.

After trashing his residence on Fox Winkler Road, Brinkley became armed and left the property. The girlfriend was under the impression he left until she heard shots fired about 45 minutes later according to FBI officials.

“She told us that he wasn’t going to be removed from his property except in a body bag,” said the FBI spokesperson. “She is adamant he is still on the property.”

The FBI spokesperson added that early on in the search, the suspect’s house, barn and a house under construction were secured on the 40-acre property near Lenoir.

Schools remained on a “soft” lockdown Tuesday as the search continues. Deputies have been escorting busses into schools and patrolling on Caldwell County Schools’ property since the search started late Friday.



Lincoln County Sheriff Tim Daugherty, along with Captain Howard Eason and Chief Deputy Barry Taylor, mobilized 15 members of the specially-trained tactical team on Saturday and made the 45-minute drive to Hibriten High School. After searching for several hours, the team came home. Members of the team returned to Caldwell Sunday until the search was called off for the day around 6 p.m.

The funeral for Klutz will be at 3 p.m. today at Mountain Grove Baptist Church. Mackie-High Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Authorities said Brinkley should be considered armed and dangerous. If spotted, call 911 or the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-758-2324.