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Incident
Chief William Greene was shot and killed while pursuing a vehicle occupied by two men and two women at 0130 hours. Unbeknownst to Chief Greene the four had broken into a summer cottage in Blowing Rock. Before backup units arrived the suspects stopped the car and one of the male suspects opened fire on Chief Greene, striking him in the arm and back with a 410 gauge shotgun. Then both men stabbed him twice before fleeing. Chief Greene was able to make it back to his patrol car and radio in a description of the suspects, who were later arrested and charged with murder. The suspect who shot Chief Greene was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on March 1, 1963. He died in prison on December 29, 1992. The other male suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years. He was paroled on September 3, 1975. The two women pled guilty to manslaughter. Chief Greene had served with the agency for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Chief of Police Greene gave the Blowing Rock Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Blowing Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Greene.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Blowing Rock Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1963, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1963, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1963, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 106th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 28. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 28. 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. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.5% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Blowing Rock Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 13.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Blowing Rock Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Blowing Rock Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
