Incident
Chief of Police Austin Price was shot and stabbed to death while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public at 11:50 p.m. As he was walking the man to the jail, the subject stabbed him several times. He then gained possession of Chief Price's service weapon and shot him several times. The suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was released after completing his sentence. Chief of Police Price had served with the Forest City Police Department for at least 3 years and was appointed Chief of Police a few weeks prior to his death. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, parents, and five brothers. Two of his brothers also served in law enforcement. Chief Price was buried at Stony Point Cemetery, Alexander County, North Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, parents, and five brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-63E96211- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Price gave the Forest City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Forest City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Price.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Austin Amos Price 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 Forest City Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Austin Amos Price's cause is highlighted.
How Austin Amos Price Compares
Offender Outcome
Completed sentence and released
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Austin Amos Price is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Austin Amos Price was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Forest City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
