In Honor of NC Wildlife Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

To observe National Police Week, our conservation chiefs leadership group went into Washington, DC to participate in the Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial.  We drove to the western end of the Metro line where we caught the train.  At each stop we were joined by law enforcement officers from across the country.  We left the Metro and walked a short distance to the memorial.  I was a surprised at the mood of the crowd although I should have known exactly how to describe the atmosphere.

The feeling was more of a family reunion than a memorial.  There was a mixture of uniformed officers and those in civilian attire with their spouses.  There were young police explorers who had the most serious faces of all.  I suppose they had been coached on the fact that this was a solemn affair and their behavior should reflect that fact.

And there were the families of officers whose sacrifice was being honored.  They carried a single red rose.  The image of that rose spoke volumes, and people showed deference and respect to those “survivors.”

I thought it would be fitting to share the names of North Carolina Wildlife Officers who were killed in the line of duty.

John W. Hollowell                 End of Watch:  August 30, 1930

Officer Hollowell was assaulted outside the Chowan County courthouse by three individuals whom he had just testified against for fishing violations.  He died as a result of injuries sustained in that assault.  Two of the subjects were charged and convicted in Officer Hollowell’s death

Joseph D. Whitaker              End of watch:  November 15, 1936

Officer Whitaker was killed while working night deer hunting in Henderson County.  His assailants were never identified.

William I. Wright Jr.            End of Watch:  October 31, 1948

Officer Wright was thought to have been killed by a person or persons closed season hunting squirrels in Sampson County.  Although it was reported that his killers were known by police, no one was ever charged.

William G. Holler                  End of Watch:  October 19, 1951

Officer Holler was killed in an automobile accident in Mecklenburg County.

Amos M. Bordeaux               End of Watch:  April 10, 1962

Officer Bordeaux was accidentally killed in Sampson County while cleaning his service weapon after target practice.

John O. Edwards                  End of Watch:  August 3, 1963

Officer Edwards was killed in an automobile accident on his way home from a night deer hunting detail.  The accident occurred between Jacksonville and Kenansville, N.C.

Dewey H. McCall                  End of Watch:  September 5, 1971

Officer McCall was killed in Burke County after issuing an angler a citation for possession of undersized fish.  The angler left the area and returned to confront Officer McCall.  The assailant was shot by Officer McCall, but survived his injuries.

Troy M. Sigmon                    End of Watch:  September 1, 1978

Officer Sigmon was an area leader (a position now referred to as sergeant) in District Four.  He was flying as an observer in a helicopter near Whiteville, N.C. when it snagged a power line while looking for dove bait.  Officer Sigmon was killed when the helicopter crashed.  The pilot survived.

Lloyd (Neil) Mayse                End of Watch:  November 27, 1980

Officer Mayse stopped two brothers for night deer hunting in Northhampton County.  One brother was riding on the hood while the other drove.  After stopping the pair a fight ensued followed by gunfire.  Officer Mayes killed one suspect and was then killed by the other.

William A. Williamson          End of Watch:  December 4, 1985

Officer Williamson was responding to a call for assistance from an officer who had stopped a vehicle for night deer hunting.  He crashed his vehicle traveling to assist the officer and died on the scene.