Prev
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Allen Dean was shot and fatally wounded, and Special Deputy Charles Watson was shot and killed in a gun battle with two moonshiners at the Culberson Bridge on the Nottely River.
A third deputy was seriously wounded, and Deputy Dean died two days later.
The suspects, thought to have been shot and seriously wounded, escaped. The men were apprehended in Texas six months later. Both were convicted of second-degree murder. One suspect was sentenced to seven years and the other to six years.
Special Deputy Sheriff Dean was survived by his wife, three daughters, and five sons.
Survivors
Special Deputy Sheriff Dean was survived by his wife, three daughters, and five sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnq6eykkm1sjcd3mnbca- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Allen. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Sheriff Dean served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Murphy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Dean.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Allen is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Allen is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Allen 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 1921, 2 officers at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 7 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Allen was 43. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 54; the middle age was 45.
Allen was 43. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Allen was 43. 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.
Allen was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 40% of these deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 20%.
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 11.2% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Allen 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
4 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
