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John Fitzgerald Strickland
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Strickland was killed in an automobile crash while responding to a call at 7:46 a.m.
While driving to a trespassing call, his vehicle swerved off the road and struck a tree on Nursery Road near Highway 87.
Deputy Strickland was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Harnett County Sheriff's Office for eight months. He is survived by his wife and three children. His father also served with the agency.
Deputy Strickland was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Harnett County Sheriff's Office for eight months. He is survived by his wife and three children. His father also served with the agency.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Strickland served with the Harnett County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lillington 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
John Fitzgerald Strickland served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Harnett County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 2003, 3 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 38. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
John was 38. 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. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 38. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 12.7% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Harnett 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.
His people
Harnett County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Military Service
John Fitzgerald Strickland served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Fitzgerald Strickland’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Harnett County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
