Prev
Joseph Berry Tipton
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Tipton succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was thrown from his horse while pursuing liquor violators near Bakersville.
His horse became frightened and threw him into a rock cliff, causing him to suffer a broken neck.
Deputy Tipton was a U.S. Army veteran of the Spanish-American War.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq66bp3mb2mqms67sa80- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Joseph is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Tipton served with the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bakersville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Berry Tipton served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Mitchell County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 2 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1921, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1921, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 60. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35.
Joseph was 60. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Joseph was 60. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
June holds 10.2% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Sundays: 11.2%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Mitchell County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Mitchell County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Military Service
Joseph Berry Tipton served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph Berry Tipton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mitchell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.