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Incident
Patrolman Howard Sullivan was killed in a motorcycle accident while patrolling Highway 18, in Lenoir, at 7:00 pm. Another vehicle turned left in front of him, causing him to broad-side the car. Patrolman Sullivan suffered a fractured skull and other broken bones and succumbed to his injuries four hours later. Patrolman Sullivan was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of WWII and had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. Air Force, salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 3 gates. Howard 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.
Patrolman Sullivan gave the Lenoir Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lenoir 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
Howard Chadwick Sullivan served in the U.S. Army (1943â1945) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lenoir Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Howard is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Howard is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Howard is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 1 officer in NC was lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1955, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1955, 74 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Howard was 35. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Howard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Howard was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Howard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 35. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Howard had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 12.7% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Lenoir Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Lenoir Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Howard among them.
Where
Military Service
Howard Chadwick Sullivan served in the U.S. Army (1943–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Howard Chadwick Sullivan’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 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lenoir Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
