Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff J.E. Zachary was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at an illegal whiskey still. Assisted by a volunteer baptist minister, Rev. T. A. Caudle, Sheriff Zachary investigated a report of an illegal still in southeast Yadkin County. Robah Augustus Baity, Spencer Lee McNeil, and Jim Brown were found at the illegal distillery. During an altercation, Zachary grabbed Baity and McNeil by the coat lapels. Baity pulled an Iver Johnson .38 revolver and shot Zachary, instantly killing him. Spencer and Brown ran from the scene but were later captured. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to death but the North Carolina governor later commuted the sentence to 30 years in prison. He was paroled October 20, 1931.
Survivors
Sheriff Zachary was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-C9043BB5- Stewardship
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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.
Sheriff Zachary gave the Yadkin County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yadkinville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Zachary.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John Evander Zachary 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Evander Zachary's cause is highlighted.
How John Evander Zachary Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1931
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Evander Zachary is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Evander Zachary was killed by handgun; revolver.