Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Palmer was shot and killed while responding to backup other deputies attempting to serve mental commitment papers. When the deputies arrived they were met by the suspect who was carrying an axe. They did not attempt an arrest at that time and instead called Sheriff Palmer, who came to the scene. When Sheriff Palmer arrived the man came out of the home with a 12 gauge shotgun. As Sheriff Palmer attempted to calm the man the suspect suddenly raised the gun and shot him in the head, killing him. He then struck another deputy with the butt of the gun before the other officers returned fire, killing the suspect. Sheriff Palmer was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran of the Pacific Theatre. He had been in law enforcement for 22 years and had been Sheriff for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-85518269- 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 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.
Sheriff Palmer gave the Person County Sheriff's Office 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roxboro 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
Clifton E. Palmer served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Clifton E. Palmer 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clifton E. Palmer's cause is highlighted.
How Clifton E. Palmer Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clifton E. Palmer is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clifton E. Palmer was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.