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Incident
Constable Elijah Bryan was seriously cut and beaten with a rake by four men when he attempted to arrest one of them for disorderly conduct. He died from his wounds six weeks later. Three of the suspects, two which were father and son, were arrested a short time after the attack.
The father was convicted of manslaughter in September of 1899 and sentenced to 11 years in prison. In June of 1902 he was pardoned by Governor Charles B. Aycock. The son was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison. A few weeks after being placed in the penitentiary he died of typhoid fever.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Bryan served with the Bethel Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bethel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bethel Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Elijah is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Elijah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Elijah 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 1899, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1899, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1899, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
June holds 9.9% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Bethel Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Bethel Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Elijah among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Bethel Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
