Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Adam Klutz was shot and killed while responding to a 911 hangup call on Fox Winkler Road in Lenoir.
When Deputy Klutz arrived at the scene, a man at the home opened fire on him with an AR-15, striking him in the head as he exited his patrol car. A second deputy who arrived moments later was shot in the chest once before he was able to exit his patrol car. The round that struck him was stopped by his vest.
Deputy Klutz was transported to Caldwell Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Five days after the shooting, the suspect's body was found on his property suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputy Klutz had served with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office for 1.5 years. He had previously worked at the Caldwell Detention Center for approximately one year and had served three months with the Hickory Police Department.
Deputy Klutz had served with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office for 1.5 years. He had previously worked at the Caldwell Detention Center for approximately one year and had served three months with the Hickory Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-7D76705A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Klutz gave the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lenoir community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Klutz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Adam William Klutz is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Adam William Klutz's cause is highlighted.
How Adam William Klutz Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Adam William Klutz is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Adam William Klutz was killed by rifle; ar-15.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Caldwell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
