Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Claude Gentry succumbed to stab wounds sustained four days earlier when he attempted to separate two brothers who were fighting and causing a disturbance on Main Street in Woodfin.
As he tried to stop the fight both brothers attacked him with knives and brass knuckles. Deputy Gentry was slashed across the abdomen numerous times and sustained serious wounds. He was taken to Mission Hospital where he died four days later.
The brother who stabbed Deputy Gentry was convicted of murder and sentenced to six to 10 years in prison. He was paroled two years later.
Deputy Gentry was survived by his wife, father, and siblings.
Survivors
Deputy Gentry was survived by his wife, father, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-FCD07031- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Gentry served with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Asheville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gentry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Claude Spergen Gentry 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 Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Claude Spergen Gentry's cause is highlighted.
How Claude Spergen Gentry Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude Spergen Gentry is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude Spergen Gentry was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Buncombe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
