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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Claude Gentry succumbed to stab wounds sustained four days earlier when he attempted to separate two brothers who were fighting and causing a disturbance on Main Street in Woodfin.
As he tried to stop the fight both brothers attacked him with knives and brass knuckles. Deputy Gentry was slashed across the abdomen numerous times and sustained serious wounds. He was taken to Mission Hospital where he died four days later.
The brother who stabbed Deputy Gentry was convicted of murder and sentenced to six to 10 years in prison. He was paroled two years later.
Deputy Gentry was survived by his wife, father, and siblings.
Survivors
Deputy Gentry was survived by his wife, father, and siblings.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Gentry served with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Asheville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gentry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Claude is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Claude is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Claude 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 1929, 12 officers in NC were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Claude was 49. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Claude was 49. 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.
Claude was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Claude 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 Buncombe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
