Incident
Officer James Nunalee was ambushed and killed as he exited a convenience store. He had just signed the log book in the store and was leaving when two masked men opened fire on him, striking him 21 times with a semi-automatic rifle. The two then stole his service revolver and fled. Although police suspected a particular husband and wife team of the robbery/murder, there was never enough evidence to arrest them. The case remained unsolved for 24 years, until the suspects' son, who was in prison on drug and weapons charges, came forward to tell Wilmington police that his parents were responsible for Officer Nunalee’s murder. That statement, along with other evidence collected over the years, led police to finally close the case. Investigators believe the husband shot Officer Nunalee as his wife stood by, refusing to shoot.
Survivors
Officer Nunalee 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Nunalee served with the Wilmington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Nunalee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilmington Police Department has lost 12 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 1978, 1 officer in NC was killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 24. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
James was 24. 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.
James was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 12 deaths at Wilmington Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 25% 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
Wilmington Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Thomas DeVane, V Aug 5, 1865
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William Freeman Craig
Sep 23, 1918
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Robert Stacy Toler Oct 7, 1918
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Leon George
Jul 29, 1924
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Adrian Darsey Newton
Jul 18, 1936
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Roy J. Carney
Apr 1, 1937
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David Hall
Nov 7, 1949
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William C. Jordan
Jun 10, 1950
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Clarence A. Davis
Jun 24, 1971
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James William Nunalee, Sr.
Apr 4, 1978
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Christopher Fitzgerald Williams
Jun 16, 2006
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Richard John Matthews
Feb 18, 2009
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.








