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Incident
Detention Officer Francisco Flattes was shot and killed by a federal inmate at the Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital at 3990 E. U.S. Highway 64 Alt in Murphy, North Carolina.
Officer Flattes and another officer transported the inmate to a medical appointment when the inmate took Officer Flattes' gun and mortally wounded him. The inmate fled into the parking lot and drove off after carjacking a vehicle.
Officer Flattes was transported to the local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Another officer was also injured in the scuffle and is recovering.
The inmate was apprehended after a standoff.
Officer Flattes had served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, who also served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, four daughters, two sons, and 15 grandchildren.
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.
Detention Officer Flattes gave the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Murphy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Flattes.
— 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.
Francisco is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Francisco is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Francisco 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 2025, 1 officer at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 2.
In 2025, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 2025, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2025, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Francisco was 56. 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. Francisco had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Francisco was 56. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Francisco had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Francisco was 56. 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. Francisco had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Francisco was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Francisco had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 40%. Mondays: 20%.
June holds 9.9% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's weapon, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's weapon, in 0.3% 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 officer's weapon, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's weapon, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Francisco 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.
