Roll of Honor
Incident
Superindentent Joe McLawhorn succumbed to injuries he received on February 16, 1916, when he was struck over the head with a pick axe during a prison work crew escape.
Five miles outside of Greenville, around 4:00 p.m., an inmate approached Superindentent McLawhorn from behind and bludgeoned him with a pick axe. He took Superintendent McLawhorn's gun and fired at other guards, allowing him and eight other inmates to escape.
While searching for the inmates, Superintendent Reddin Smith was slain by the suspect on March 1, 1916.
The suspect was shot and killed when he fired at posse members attempting to apprehend him.
Superindentent McLawhorn was survived by his parents and 11 siblings.
Survivors
Superindentent McLawhorn was survived by his parents and 11 siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-D359F0D5- 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.
Superintendent McLawhorn served with the Pitt County Convict Camp.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Superintendent McLawhorn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Superintendent Joseph Claudius McLawhorn 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 Pitt County Convict Camp, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Claudius McLawhorn's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Claudius McLawhorn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Claudius McLawhorn is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Claudius McLawhorn was killed by edged weapon; pick ax.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pitt County Convict Camp are honored on badge.nw.
