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Incident
Patrolman William Carter was killed when he was intentionally thrown from a vehicle on Dec. 11 while attempting to pursue a whiskey-runner. He observed the whiskey car driving on 11th Street, SW, and he flagged down the next car to pass by. He jumped on the running board and ordered it to follow the first car. Unbeknownst to Patrolman Carter, the vehicle was the pilot car for the whiskey car. The driver suddenly swerved and applied the brakes, causing Patrolman Carter to be thrown from the vehicle and strike his head on a curb. He died the next day.
Survivors
Patrolman Carter was survived by his wife and other family members.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-JEPJ-X012-8earlier record number BO-US-VA-BDB5B840- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Carter served with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Carter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roanoke City Police Department has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
William is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
William is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 2 officers at Roanoke City Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 7 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 56. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Roanoke City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 48.8; the middle age was 36.
William was 56. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
William was 56. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 56. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 8.3% of these deaths at Roanoke City Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 41.7%.
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in VA, more than any other month. Fridays: 12.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 15 deaths at Roanoke City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Roanoke City Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Thomas A. Mabry Jan 8, 1892
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Robert M. Beard
Oct 12, 1906
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Anthony D. Hiner
Aug 21, 1910
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John H. Leverett
Jun 21, 1916
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Paris R. Fields May 28, 1920
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Claude H. Morgan
Jul 2, 1925
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William M. Terry
Jul 3, 1925
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Ambrose M. Smith
Jul 8, 1927
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George Pettit Thomas
Nov 20, 1930
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William R. Carter
Dec 12, 1930
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Leonard Russell Morris
May 15, 1934
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Thomas E. Kittinger
Apr 29, 1961
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Joseph B. Jennings
Jun 28, 1965
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David W. Rickman
Apr 12, 1986
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Fred Wayne Robinson
Jan 5, 1992
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Roanoke City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
