On September 29th, 2024, we lost a great man – Bryan Stewart Irwin, of Winston Salem, NC. He died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday afternoon after he and his family attended their beloved Calvary Baptist Church that morning. He was born in Georgetown, Washington D.C. on February 4, 1975, to Bobby and Carol Irwin (his mother preceded him in death in 2000).

Bryan graduated from Alleghany High School in Sparta, NC where he first met his future wife Tammy Crouse, and continued his education at Western Carolina University, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1998. He pursued his dream of becoming a law enforcement officer, receiving his Basic Law Enforcement Certificate in 1998, and subsequently beginning his career with Alcohol Law Enforcement in 1999.

During his distinguished career with ALE, he received multiple awards and accolades, to include: the Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety’s Meritorious Service Award given for his initiative in organizing an operation to target controlled substance violations in 2005, the Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety Heroism Award for pursuing and apprehending a gunman who just shot and killed his intended victim before fleeing the scene in 2010, the Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety Gold Circle Awards in 2005 and 2010; and the NCALE Award of Excellence in 2012. Additionally, he was nationally recognized and received Homeland Security Investigations Outstanding Efforts in Combating Human Trafficking Award in 2019.

Since 2000 Bryan has been a loving husband to his high school sweetheart Tammy Irwin, and an amazing father to three great young men (Pierce 19, Paxton 15 and Palmer 13). His kids were his most prized accomplishment, and he leaves behind an amazing legacy in them to support their mother and to provide a continued reminder of his enthusiasm and love for life. He loved God and was passionate about spending time with his family making many amazing and special memories. He was especially fond of countless weekends at Lacrosse and Baseball tournaments across the Carolinas, fishing with the boys, family vacations, spending time with his Church family, and leading his cherished 8th grade boy’s student ministry.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Tammy Crouse Irwin, sons Pierce, Paxton and Palmer, father, Bobby Irwin and stepmother Suzanne Irwin, mother-in-law and father-in-law Mary and Dennis Crouse, sister Jennifer Irwin Tuffo and her husband Kevin Tuffo, and sister-in law Wendy Crouse Jordan and her husband Patrick Jordan. He had nephews and nieces who adored him like their second father, and a community of friends and colleagues that will all miss him dearly, and fondly remember his 25 years of service and sacrifice to the state of North Carolina.

Services will be held Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 4:00 PM at Calvary Baptist Church at 134 S. Peace Haven Road, Winston Salem, NC. Visitation will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at this website to support the family and for the boys’ education at https://everloved.com/life-of/bryan-irwin/