Inside E&J’s First Responder Tribute Truck

By George L. Nitti When E&J Automotive unveiled its newest 25-ton Peterbilt, the first thing that caught the eye wasn’t its size or its power; it was the patriotic wrap honoring Craven County, North Carolina’s first responders. 

Designed by Razor Wraps of Fredericksburg, Virginia, the truck’s exterior blends the logos of local fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies into a dense, photo-rich collage. One full side is devoted entirely to fire and EMS; the opposite side pays tribute to law enforcement across the county. 

“We took different logos from our local fire departments and local law enforcement,” said Ray Jones, lead operator of heavy-duty equipment at E&J, located in New Bern. “It’s also wrapped with people in our area, in our county. They’re just random pictures to fill space, but everything on it is related to law enforcement or first responders.” 

While the sides anchor the truck in its community, the hood adds another layer of symbolism — a bold patriotic design that ties the entire wrap together. Across the front, a bald eagle rises through a veil of stars and stripes, its gaze fixed forward. A sweep of the American flag and a faint overlay of historic script evoke the spirit of the nation’s founding. 

“We already had first responder and military themes on our other trucks,” Jones said. “For this one, we wanted something that represented our area, but it also needed to carry that patriotic feel.” 

Among the most meaningful features, Jones said, is a tribute tucked onto the rear driver’s-side panel: a portrait of “Nibbles,” a pit bull who served with the Craven County Sheriff’s K9 unit. 

“He’s on every one of our trucks,” Jones said. “The Sheriff’s Department rescued him and trained him to be a K9.” Nibbles later developed back issues and passed away just before E&J wrapped its fleet. Jones, who has two pit bulls of his own, added, “It touched me, so I had him added to every truck.” 

E&J has served the region since 1988, and Jones himself has been part of the company for 32 years. For him, the new Peterbilt is a moving testament to the people who protect the community every day.  “People will see it,” he said. “And they’ll remember who’s out there looking after them.”