Cortner, 36, of Youngsville, was on the job traveling westbound on 1116 about 9 p.m. when an eastbound car driven by a Youngsville teen crossed the center line and hit his car head-on, the state Highway Patrol reported.

"David was a caring person with a strong faith," said Bobby Dickerson, Franklin County’s chief probation officer. "He was a good listener who was a friend to his co-workers and always willing to help others. He wanted to make the best use of the wide array of programs we have to supervise probationers and was concerned about the people he supervised."

Cortner had worked for the Division of Community Corrections since December 1990. He moved from Wake County to Franklin County in 1998 and became the first probation and parole officer II in Franklin County.