First female Garner police officer killed in car crash

The first female police officer at the Garner Police Department has died in a car crash.

According to police, Iris Motley, who retired in 1999, was killed Thursday morning in a crash on U.S. Highway 70 near Jessup Drive.

Garner police posted the news on Facebook, saying Motley was the first full-time female officer hired by the department and the first female officer retiree.

During her career, Motley served as a patrol officer, a crime prevention officer and a DARE officer for Creech Road and Vance elementary schools, where she had a positive impact on hundreds of kids.

According to police, "she was well known throughout the state of North Carolina for the annual Crime Prevention Fair that was held at Forest Hills Shopping Center each year. She was also one of our initial Challenge Camp program coordinators in 1994 when the camp was first held."

The Garner Police Department asked for prayers for Motley's family.