Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Eldridge Blake was shot and killed after arresting a man for stealing an ox.
He and another deputy were was taking the man to appear before a magistrate when the man suddenly refused to cooperate near his home approximately four miles southeast of Wake Crossroads. The second deputy went to a nearby home to summons help. While he was gone the man entered his home, obtained a shotgun, and shot Deputy Blake before fleeing on a stolen horse.
The suspect fled the area but was later arrested in Halifax County. He was convicted of Deputy Blake's murder, sentenced to death, and executed by hanging on August 27th, 1883.
Deputy Blake had been deputized the day before the incident in order to serve the warrant.
Deputy Sheriff Eldridge Blake will always be remembered. RIP sir.
Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb New York State Police - Troop "D" August 18th, 2022
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-C4A6847D- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Blake served with the Wake County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Eldridge Blake 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 Wake County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eldridge Blake's cause is highlighted.
How Eldridge Blake Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eldridge Blake is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eldridge Blake was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
