Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Wall was shot and fatally wounded while raiding a liquor still. He was taken to Rex Hospital in Raleigh where he died the next day.
Four men were arrested and charged with his murder.
All four suspects were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison June 22, 1919. In the fall of 1920 two of the men, one age 20, and his father-in-law the other, escaped from a prison work crew between Raleigh and Cary. Eight months later the Johnston County sheriff received word that the mother on the 20-year-old was going to take a train to Jacksonville, Florida, which would arrive there on June 3. The woman got off the train, met with her son, and then they both met with several Jacksonville police officers. He was returned to Raleigh's Central Prison. In 1927 his sentenced was commuted to 10 years and he was told if he behaved himself he would be released in 1930. Concerning the other two, one was paroled on April 11, 1927. There is no more information about the other escapee.
Deputy Sheriff John A. Wall will never be forgotten. RIP sir.
Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb New York State Police - Troop "D" August 18th, 2022
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Wall served with the Johnston County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Smithfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John A. "Alf" Wall 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 Johnston 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. John A. "Alf" Wall's cause is highlighted.
How John A. "Alf" Wall Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. "Alf" Wall is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. "Alf" Wall was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Johnston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
