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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ewart Sanders was shot and killed by a prisoner he and another deputy were transporting to the Cleveland County Jail. The man had been arrested by the deputies on a drinking charge. As the patrol car pulled into the jail's sallyport, the man produced a hidden handgun and opened fire, striking Deputy Sanders in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Sanders was able to return fire and killed the man. Deputy Sanders succumbed to his wounds while being taken to a local hospital.
Survivors
Deputy Sanders was survived by his wife and daughter.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Sanders served with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Shelby community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sanders.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Ewart is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Ewart is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ewart 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 1933, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ewart was 33. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Ewart was 33. 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.
Ewart was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 6.5% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Ewart among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cleveland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
