Tragedy out of Haywood County as a trooper was killed in the line of duty

Some really tragic news came out of Haywood County, where a trooper was shot and killed. This is just west of Asheville.

Here is the press information from the N.C. Highway Patrol:

Trooper David Blanton Jr. (pictured above), 24, was shot and killed in the line of duty last evening during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Haywood County.  Trooper Blanton joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol on May 11, 2006.  His most recent assignment was to Haywood County.
 
Trooper Blanton is the 59th trooper to die in the line of duty since the formation of the Highway Patrol in 1929.  He is the first trooper to be fatally assaulted since 1997.
 
Trooper Blanton grew up in Sylva, N.C., where he graduated from Smokey Mountain High School in 2002.  His first North Carolina Highway Patrol duty station was Waynesville.    
 
Trooper Blanton leaves behind a wife and child.

Here is further press information on the suspect in the case:

Law enforcement officers have charged Edwardo Wong II age 37 with First Degree Murder in the death of Trooper David Blanton Jr. 

Wong has an Ormond Beach, Florida address and told officials he was traveling from Tennessee.  He has a lengthy criminal record that includes convictions for felony assault on law enforcement officers, felony drug violations, felony possession of a firearm and others. 

Wong is being held in the Haywood County Jail without bail.