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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Land was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm at a local bank at 12:54 pm. As he and another deputy ran up to the bank, a lone gunman shot him through the glass front door. After the gunman and the other deputy exchanged several gunshots, the gunman came to the door holding the bank manager hostage. The gunman ordered the deputy to handcuff himself to a porch rail and forced the bank manager to drive him north on N.C. 54 in the bank manager's vehicle. After being chased a few miles by several state troopers, the gunman ordered the bank manager to stop. The gunman refused to release his hostage and surrender when ordered to do so by the troopers. At this point, the bank manager grabbed the gunman's gun and drove into a nearby ditch. Several troopers forced their way into the vehicle, subdued the gunman, and took him into custody. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder, bank robbery, assault, and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 115 years in prison. He was released from prison on August 9, 1993. Deputy Land was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Durham County Sheriff's Office for a month.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Land served with the Durham County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Durham community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Thomas Land served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Durham County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 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 1971, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 24. 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 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 24. 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 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 24. 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 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Durham County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Durham County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William Thomas Land served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Thomas Land’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Durham County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
