Roll of Honor
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
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff David Walter Oaks 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 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Walter Oaks's cause is highlighted.
How David Walter Oaks Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Walter Oaks is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Walter Oaks was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Burke County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
