Matthew Gregory Knight

He graduated from Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville. He began his law enforcement career with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office as a civilian for 2 years from 2000 until 2002.

Matt then received his Basic Law Enforcement Certificate in July of 2002 and began working as an officer for the City of Fayetteville Police Department. During this time, he worked patrol, fugitive/warrants squad, Burglary Reduction and Citizen Education (B.R.A.C.E.), Neighborhood Improvement Team (NIT), and served as a School Resource/DARE officer. While working there he received the Officer of the Quarter Award and Honorable Mention for Officer of the Year.

In 2006, Matt began working for North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE). He served as the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Drugs, Alcohol and Gang Suppression for the Governor’s Task Force on Safer Schools. He also served as a board member for the Coastal Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention (CCSAP). He revised the ALE BARS program, specifically addressing COVID related issues, where his hard work was recognized by Governor Roy Cooper.

Prior to being promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge in 2016, he was a Field Training Agent and N.C. General Instructor. Matt is a graduate of West Point Leadership Program and North Carolina State University Administrative Officers Management Program (AOMP) 2021.

In 2016, Matt created “When Love Is Not Enough/No Empty Chairs”, a program created to have real conversations with parents and community members about the dangers of Substance Use/Abuse and Underage Drinking. In 2018, he was honored in the New Bern Sun Journal as one of the 52 Faces of Community.

Matt was a member of the Knights of Pythia’s, Cumberland Chapter, Future Farmers of America, and the Southern States Police Benevolent Association.

He is survived by his parents, Randy and Joyce Knight; his twin sister Jennifer Orrock; his three children that he shared with Shawna Knight, Kayli, Rebecca, and Ben Knight; and his fur-children, Cinnamon (passed 2023), Dutch (passed 2020), Brandy Mae, Nora Belle, Buck, Ginger, and Murphy.

The family is comforted to know that Matt is now together with his infant son, Ryan Gregory Knight, who preceded him in death.

Matt was known to others as a giver of time and care. He was always willing to do anything at any time to protect and serve his family, friends, and community. Matt had a heart for others and his impact will continue in the stories we share.

His hobbies included fishing, painting, singing and most importantly, anything his kids wanted to do. Nearly every weekend you could find Matt walking adoptable dogs for the Humane Society and Animal Shelter. He was an avid painter and enjoyed sharing his art with those he loved. In his spare time, Matt would write songs and stories that he loved to share with his family, including the novel he was writing for many years. Matt's favorite place to spend time was the family cabin, "After Hours," which will be his final resting place.

A celebration of Matt's life will be held on Monday, September 4, 2023, at 12:00 noon at Latitude Church. The family will receive visitors following the service. The family requests that guests wear Matt's favorite colors of blue and green to celebrate his life. If you have a story about Matt that you would like to share with the family, please write it down and bring it to the service. The family will read these together in his honor and cherish them.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Colonial Capital Humane Society or the Craven Pamlico Animal shelter.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Matthew Gregory Knight.