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Incident
Chief of Police Austin Price was shot and stabbed to death while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public at 11:50 p.m. As he was walking the man to the jail, the subject stabbed him several times. He then gained possession of Chief Price's service weapon and shot him several times. The suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was released after completing his sentence. Chief of Police Price had served with the Forest City Police Department for at least 3 years and was appointed Chief of Police a few weeks prior to his death. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, parents, and five brothers. Two of his brothers also served in law enforcement. Chief Price was buried at Stony Point Cemetery, Alexander County, North Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, parents, and five brothers.
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.
Chief of Police Price gave the Forest City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Forest City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Price.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Forest City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Austin is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Austin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Austin 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 1931, 7 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Austin was 41. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Austin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Austin was 41. 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. Austin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Austin was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Austin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9.9% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Forest City Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Forest City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Austin among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Forest City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
