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Incident
Chief Lawrence suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty. Chief Lawrence had served as chief of the agency for 21 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Lawrence gave the Mount Airy Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Airy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Lawrence.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Mount Airy Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
R. is one of 33 officers lost to cardiac events in NC, 5% of the 664 remembered there.
R. is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
R. is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 1 officer in NC was lost to cardiac events, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1967, with 2.
In 1941, 7 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 78th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1941, 7 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 78th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
R. was 51. Of the 33 lost to cardiac events in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 53; the middle age was 46. R. had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
R. was 51. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. R. had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
R. was 51. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. R. had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 6.1% of these deaths in NC; January holds the most, 15.2%. Mondays: 6.1%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Mount Airy Police Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Mount Airy Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, R. 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 Mount Airy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
