Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ewart Sanders was shot and killed by a prisoner he and another deputy were transporting to the Cleveland County Jail. The man had been arrested by the deputies on a drinking charge. As the patrol car pulled into the jail's sallyport, the man produced a hidden handgun and opened fire, striking Deputy Sanders in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Sanders was able to return fire and killed the man. Deputy Sanders succumbed to his wounds while being taken to a local hospital.
Survivors
Deputy Sanders was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-96B2BF02- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Sanders served with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Shelby community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sanders.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ewart W. Sanders 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 Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 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. Ewart W. Sanders's cause is highlighted.
How Ewart W. Sanders Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ewart W. Sanders is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ewart W. Sanders was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cleveland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
