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North Carolina Police Officer Snags $250,000 Mega Millions (Second-Tier) Prize

Mike Bollinger, a police officer and EMT from Maiden, North Carolina,won $250,000 on the $1 Mega Millions ticket he purchased in Stanley, N.C..

“Something just felt right that day when I bought it,” Bollinger said. “I let the computer pick the numbers.”

His ticket was one of two sold in North Carolina that matched all five white balls in the Friday, Feb. 10 drawing, beating odds of more than one in 3.9 million.

Before his big win, Bollinger said $15 was the most he had ever won playing Mega Millions. After state and federal taxes were withheld, he received a check for $170,000.

Bollinger, who has worked in law enforcement and emergency management for 26 years, said he planned to use some of his winnings to pay bills and take a vacation.

“Really to have those bills off of you,” he said, “is more of a relief than anything.”