Prev
Incident
Police Officer Alfred Baird was shot and killed while on foot patrol on Eagle Street in downtown Asheville. A man walked up and shot him and another man he was talking to without provocation. Officer Baird was killed instantly. The suspect was apprehended a short time later. The man Officer Baird was talking to died from his wounds two weeks later. The suspect was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to two terms of 12.5 years to life in prison. He died in prison on January 6th, 1980. Officer Baird was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War and had served with the Asheville Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqgxc74yj44dth32fcvz- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Alfred. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Alfred 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.
Police Officer Baird gave the Asheville Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Asheville 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
Alfred Baird served in the U.S. Air Force (1951â1953) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Asheville Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Alfred is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Alfred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Alfred 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 1972, 1 officer at Asheville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1906, with 2.
In 1972, 7 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alfred was 41. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Asheville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41; the middle age was 33. Alfred had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alfred was 41. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Alfred had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Alfred 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. Alfred had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alfred was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alfred had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Asheville Police Department; November holds the most, 40%. Sundays: 20%.
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Asheville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 60% 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
Asheville Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Alfred among them.
Where
Military Service
Alfred Baird served in the U.S. Air Force (1951–1953) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Alfred Baird’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 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Asheville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
