David Walter Oaks

Burke County Sheriff's Office — Morganton, NC

Felonious

End of Watch August 21, 1966

Age 44

The Vigil Panel 101 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Sheriff David Oaks was shot and killed while assisting his deputies at a barricade situation of a man who had shot two deputies. After the officers fired tear gas into the house, the man came out with his hand raised claiming to surrender. He then lowered his rifle and opened fire, striking Sheriff Oaks three times. The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended without incident. He was sent to prison, was paroled, and died in 1989.

Survivors

Sheriff Oaks is survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NC-FDA2DD10
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.
Sheriff Oaks served with the Burke County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Morganton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Oaks.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Burke County Sheriff's Office

Location Morganton, NC

Platform Identity bcso.burke.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 21, 1966

Age 44

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Offender Released from prison

Sheriff David Walter Oaks 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 Burke County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Burke County Sheriff's Office

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

NC — Statewide

385

of 664 officers

58% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious