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Incident
Sheriff Godfrey Kimball was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for kidnapping and robbing the mayor of Statesville and stealing his car. The mayor had just left city hall when a 23-year-old man jumped on the running board of his new coupe, put a gun to his head, and ordered him to start driving. A few blocks away, the suspect released the mayor after robbing him and took his car. Later in the day, Sheriff Kimball and a deputy found the car parked outside a local residence and were told that the suspect was inside. Sheriff Kimball, who went to the back door, was met by the suspect, who put a gun in his face and ordered him to put his hands up. The deputy, who saw what was happening from the front door, ran inside and ordered the suspect to drop his gun. The suspect turned and shot the deputy in the leg. The deputy returned fire, missed the suspect, and accidentally killed Sheriff Kimball. Three days later, the suspect was captured at a boarding house in Concord after the proprietress recognized the suspect's picture in a newspaper and called the police. He was convicted of second-degree murder, kidnapping, and robbery. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison. On September 30, 1948, he escaped from a Jackson County prison camp. The next day, he was shot and killed by Jackson County Sheriff Charles G. Middleton after he ignored orders to halt. Sheriff Middleton was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 2, 1953. Sheriff Kimball was a United States Army World War I veteran and had served as Sheriff of the Iredell County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by two sons, parents, and a sister.
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.
Sheriff Kimball gave the Iredell County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Statesville community, and 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
Godfrey Click Kimball served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Iredell County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Godfrey is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Godfrey is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Godfrey 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 1934, 4 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1934, 91 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1934, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Godfrey was 41. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Godfrey had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Godfrey was 41. 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. Godfrey had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Godfrey was 41. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Godfrey had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 6.3% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Fridays: 13.2%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Iredell County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
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
Iredell County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Godfrey among them.
Military Service
Godfrey Click Kimball served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Godfrey Click Kimball’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 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Iredell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.