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Incident
Chief of Police Benjamin Townsend was struck and killed by Atlantic Coast Line Railroad passenger train No. 78.
He was conducting a foot patrol of the railroad tracks at approximately 11:00 pm when he was struck 70 feet north of the town's highway crossing.
Chief Townsend was survived by his wife, son, grandson, and two brothers.
Survivors
Chief Townsend was survived by his wife, son, grandson, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Townsend served with the Parkton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Parkton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Townsend.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Benjamin is the only officer of Parkton Police Department remembered here.
Benjamin is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Benjamin 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 1951, 3 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1951, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1951, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Benjamin was 68. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35.
Benjamin was 68. 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.
Benjamin was 68. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Saturdays: 20%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Parkton Police Department.
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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Parkton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.