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Incident
Court Officer Sheriff Jim Lau was killed when his vehicle was swept away by unexpected rushing water from the Cullasaja River during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Officer Lau's body was recovered about three miles from where his truck was last seen, and his vehicle was located a week later.
Hurricane Helene was the deadliest storm to hit North Carolina. The heavy rains and damaging winds caused major landslides and flash flooding, damaging over 6,000 miles of roads and knocking out power to over 900,000 residents throughout western North Carolina. As of February 2025, over 100 deaths in North Carolina were attributed to Hurricane Helene, with two of the deaths from Macon County.
Officer Lau was a United States Air Force Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Macon County Sheriff's Office for over 11 years. He previously served with the Volusia County, Florida, Sheriff's Office for 23 years and the Cody, Wyoming, Airport Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two stepsons, a stepdaughter, and four grandchildren.
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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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.
Court Officer Lau gave the Macon County Sheriff's Office 38 years.
Thank you for your service to the Franklin community. Thank you 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
Charles James Lau served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Charles is the only officer of Macon County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Charles is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles 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 2024, 3 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 2024, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2024, 54 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 75. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Charles had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Charles was 75. 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. Charles had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 75. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 12.7% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Saturdays: 20%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Macon County Sheriff's Office.
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
Military Service
Charles James Lau served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles James Lau’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
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