Esther LaFayette Lewis

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office — Fayetteville, NC

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch December 9, 1950

Age 53

The Vigil Panel 87 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Deputy Lewis was shot and killed at approximately 6:15 pm as he attempted to take a man into custody for shooting his estranged wife's dog.

As he was arresting the suspect on Highway 15-A near Fayetteville, the man drew a concealed handgun and shot Deputy Lewis four times, and then fled the scene.

The suspect was arrested, convicted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to life on January 19, 1951. He was sent to the Dorothea Dix Mental Hospital in Raleigh, where he escaped a few days later. He was recaptured in Seattle, Washington, by FBI agents on December 23, 1955. He was paroled on February 8, 1982.

Deputy Lewis was a United States Army veteran of World War I.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NC-7E98C792
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Esther. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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.
Deputy Sheriff Lewis served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

Location Fayetteville, NC

Platform Identity ccso.cumberland.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 9, 1950

Age 53

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Paroled in 1982

Military Service

Esther LaFayette Lewis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Sheriff Esther LaFayette Lewis 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 Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, 11 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.6% of this agency's fallen.

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

of 13 officers

84.6% Felonious

NC — Statewide

385

of 664 officers

58% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious