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Incident
Patrol Officer William Gilmore was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a call of a large disorderly group playing loud music on Washington Street. After clearing the group, Officer Gilmore was sitting in his patrol car completing a report when a man approached the vehicle and shot him in the face, killing him. The suspect was captured the next day. The 31-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 14th, 1982. Officer Gilmore had served with the Clayton Police Department for 17 months.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrol Officer Gilmore gave the Clayton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Gilmore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clayton Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1982, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 25. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. William had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.5% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Clayton Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Clayton Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Clayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
