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Millard Owen Messersmith
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Millard Messersmith, Trooper Robert Peterson, and Captain Roy Huskey were shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute between a man and his teenager daughter in Rutherford County. Captain Huskey was the first officer dispatched to the scene and was shot in the head by the suspect as he exited his patrol car. When Captain Huskey failed to check in Deputy Messersmith responded to the scene. As he pulled into the driveway he saw Captain Huskey laying next to the patrol car, and he began to back out of the driveway. The suspect opened fire on Deputy Messersmith as he backed out of the driveway, striking him in the head. A neighbor called the sheriff's office to report that two deputies had been shot. Trooper Peterson heard garbled radio traffic, and although couldn't make out the transmissions, determined something was wrong and began to head toward Rutherfordton. As he drove into town the suspect sped by him. Trooper Peterson turned around and attempted to stop the car, thinking it was a speeding vehicle and not knowing the suspect had just murdered two deputies. Trooper Peterson's last transmission was that the suspect was running into the woods. Trooper Peterson was found suffering a from a gunshot wound to the head. His service revolver had been fired once. The suspect was apprehended, convicted of capital murder, and executed in 1984.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Messersmith served with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Rutherfordton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Messersmith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Millard Owen Messersmith served in the the United States military (1942â1945) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Millard is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Millard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Millard 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 1979, 5 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Millard was 58. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Millard was 58. 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.
Millard was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Thursdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Millard among them.
Military Service
Millard Owen Messersmith served in the United States military (1942–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Millard Owen Messersmith’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 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rutherford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
