ROCKY POINT — Johnny Alton Hawley, 69, of Rocky Point, died peacefully on April 26, 2024 at home with his family by his side.
Johnny was born on March 7, 1955 in Erwin, NC. He is the son of the late Huston Leon Hawley (Hilda G. Hawley) and the late Carolyn Avery Hawley Norris, Johnny is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Page Hawley; brother, Kenneth W. Hawley (Carol); nephews, Houston R. Hawley (Lindsay) and Evan H. Hawley (Katie); and great-nephew, Houston Cade Hawley.
Johnny graduated from Erwin High School, Class of 1973. After graduation, he began his career with the North Carolina Department of Corrections working at Polk Youth Center and Central Prison in Raleigh. Upon turning 21, Johnny began his law enforcement career with the Dunn Police Department, where he advanced to the rank of Lieutenant in the Detective Division. While Johnny served in many roles with the Dunn Police Department, in 1998 he was selected to serve in the personal security detail for US Senator Jesse Helms while Senator Helms was rehabilitating at Rex Hospital in Raleigh. After 25 years of service with the Dunn Police Department, Johnny accepted a Lieutenant position with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office as a detective and a member of the Special Response Team.
After completing a 30-year career in law enforcement, Johnny worked for Blackwater as a firearms instructor in eastern NC. Later, he was deployed by Blackwater to Afghanistan and worked with the DEA during “Operation Enduring Freedom” where he served as an instructor and trained Afghan National Police Forces.
Prior to Johnny’s overseas deployments with Blackwater, he was an Investigator with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. Upon his return home from Afghanistan, Johnny was employed as an Investigator of cold cases with Harnett County Sheriff’s Department. In 2021, Johnny worked with NC State University Professor, Dr. Ann Ross and together, they successfully solved a 20-year-old cold case using DNA.
Johnny’s other passions included training and showing horses in various disciplines to include; Halter, Western Pleasure, and Cutting. In 2007, Johnny and Gwen decided to own their own horse farm where they trained and bred Quarter Horses for Cutting and also, bred and sold beef cattle. Living close to the coast Johnny also enjoyed his time on the water fishing as often as time would allow.
A Celebration Of Life service will be held at Wrightsville United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Dr. Wrightsville Beach, NC on Friday May 3, 2024 at 10 am.
As a member of Wrightsville United Methodist Church, Johnny faithfully served Christ. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, Wrightsville United Methodist Church in Wrightsville Beach, and UNC Rex Cancer Center in Raleigh.
