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Willard Edward Vaughan
Incident
Lieutenant Willard Vaughan was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm at a convenience store. Lieutenant Vaughan and another officer, and a deputy sheriff responded to the silent alarm at a convenience store. He drove past the scene and met with the deputy down the road. Lieutenant Vaughan and the deputy started driving back toward the crime scene with Lieutenant Vaughan's police vehicle in front. The deputy slowed down to look down a dirt road when he saw the brake lights of Lieutenant Vaughan's police vehicle come on. Lieutenant Vaughan exited his vehicle, and the deputy stated that he saw a tremendous amount of gunfire. One of the two suspects ran in front of Lieutenant Vaughan's vehicle and opened fire at close range. Lieutenant Vaughan was hit four times and the suspect one time. The deputy pulled up, and the suspect shot at the deputy, hitting his vehicle. The deputy then shot and hit the suspect a second time. The two subjects were arrested at the scene. A third suspect was arrested hours later in Emporia, Virginia. Lieutenant Vaughan's killer, 18, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 19, 1977. He was still in prison on June 15, 2023. Lieutenant Vaughan had served with the Roanoke Rapids Police Department for 21 years and was planning to retire in three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Willard is one person.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Vaughan gave the Roanoke Rapids Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Vaughan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Willard Edward Vaughan served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1943â1946) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roanoke Rapids Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Willard is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Willard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Willard 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 1977, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willard was 64. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Willard had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Willard was 64. 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. Willard had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willard was 64. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Willard had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Roanoke Rapids Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Roanoke Rapids Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Willard among them.
Military Service
Willard Edward Vaughan served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1943–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Willard Edward Vaughan’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 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Roanoke Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
