By Tom Joyce tjoyce@mtairynews.com The spot just off U.S. 52-North is shrouded with pine needles, splotches of green grass seemingly mocking winter’s harshness, fallen limbs and the usual roadside litter — a commonplace scene, but one that’s hallowed ground to David Beal. Beal carefully strolled Thursday along the U.S. 52 exit ramp to West Pine Street, as vehicles whizzed by containing drivers with curious looks, until finally reaching the place where one of Mount Airy’s darkest tragedies had unfolded 50 years before to the day. Around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 25, 1971 — also a Thursday — city police Detective Monroe Boggs was gunned down on the exit ramp by the driver of a stolen car who then fled, leaving the dying officer behind.