Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff E.K. Hensley was shot and killed as he and another deputy attempted to arrest an escaped convict and bootlegging suspect.
The deputies had gone to the man's home in the Skyland area with the capias and a search warrant to arrest him. The deputies had searched the entire home and were preparing to search the attic, where a trap door had been located during previous searches of the house. As Deputy Hensley started to pull himself into the attic the man shot him at close range with 12-gauge shotgun, killing him. He then shot at the other deputy as he attempted to carry Deputy Hensley to safety.
The 19-year-suspect barricaded himself inside his home as reinforcements were called to the scene. He surrendered to a police judge a short time later. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was paroled on June 27th, 1930.
Deputy Hensley was survived by his wife, son, and four daughters.
Survivors
Deputy Hensley was survived by his wife, son, and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-6B251AF7- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hensley 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 Hensley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff E. K. Hensley 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 97,756 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. E. K. Hensley's cause is highlighted.
How E. K. Hensley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. E. K. Hensley is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. E. K. Hensley was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Buncombe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
