Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal Joe Massey was shot and killed in an act of revenge by a cab driver to whom he had written a ticket earlier in the morning. The cab driver dropped his fare off and then went home to retrieve his pistol. He then waited for Corporal Massey to perform his routine rounds. He located Corporal Massey sitting in a service station across from 625 East Market Street completing paperwork shortly after midnight. The man entered the service station, called out to Officer Massey, and then shot him six times as he sat at the desk. The 31-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. Corporal Massey had served with the Greensboro Police Department for 12 years and was one of the first African American officers hired by the agency. He was a widower.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-887CE6C7- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Massey gave the Greensboro Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greensboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Massey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal Joe R. Massey 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 Greensboro Police Department, 7 of 14 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. Joe R. Massey's cause is highlighted.
How Joe R. Massey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joe R. Massey is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joe R. Massey was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Greensboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
