Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Alfred Pate was shot and killed as he, the sheriff, and four other deputies raided an illegal still in northern Cumberland County.
As they snuck upon the scene, they were discovered, and the three suspects fled the scene. The deputies destroyed the liquor and confiscated the items. They attempted to put a large copper pot into the backseat of the car, but it was too large, and they were unable to close the back door. Because of this, Deputy Pate rode on the running board as they slowly drove away from the area. Suddenly shots rang out from the woods, fatally wounding Deputy Pate and nearly striking the other deputies.
One suspect was apprehended and sentenced to 30 years of hard labor in state prison. In prison, the suspect showed skill at designing firearms and, after serving 8 of the 30 years, was granted a commutation of his sentence by the governor and released. The suspect went on to briefly work for Remington, Colt, and Winchester. While at Winchester, he designed the short-stroke gas piston used by other Winchester engineers in the development of the U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30 M1. The suspect was committed to a psychiatric hospital as a result of his many years of alcoholism in 1973, where he died in 1975.
Deputy Pate had been in law enforcement for 20 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Pate had been in law enforcement for 20 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-45BCD2EB- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Pate gave the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pate.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Alfred Jackson Pate is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, 11 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alfred Jackson Pate's cause is highlighted.
How Alfred Jackson Pate Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alfred Jackson Pate is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alfred Jackson Pate was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
