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Incident
Sheriff Charles Middleton died from a gunshot wound. He and several other law enforcement officers were trying to locate a suspect in the Canada community for assaulting a woman. He had eluded arrest by hiding out in the heavily wooded area in the Canada community. Several of the suspect's friends that were with him in the woods were arrested and gave information about threatening statements he made about Sheriff Middleton. After receiving information about a more precise location, Sheriff Middleton and a patrolman were walking a trail in the woods when Sheriff Middleton was struck in the chest and neck by a shotgun. The patrolman only saw two figures run into the woods. A manhunt ensued with help from multiple law enforcement agencies. The suspect was captured the next day near Tennessee Gap. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 26th, 1953. He was paroled on January 12th, 1978, and later died on December 16th, 1994. Five days after the shooting the Jackson County Board of Commissioners appointed Sheriff Middleton's wife to serve out the remaining 17 months of his term. On October 1st, 1948, Sheriff Middleton shot and killed a prison escapee who was responsible for the death of Iredell County Sheriff Godfrey C. Kimball on August 17th, 1934.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Middleton served with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sylva community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Middleton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jackson County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 46. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Charles was 46. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 66.7% 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 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Jackson County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Jackson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
