Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Shelton was shot and killed in Walnut while he and two other deputies questioned a man they suspected of being drunk in public.
The deputies had asked the man to demonstrate his sobriety by walking, but the man instead pulled out a handgun and opened fire on them. Deputy Shelton was struck in the head and killed instantly. The other two deputies returned fire and killed the subject.
A bystander was also wounded during the shootout.
Deputy Shelton was survived by his wife and seven children.
Survivors
Deputy Shelton was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-BEFBE25A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Shelton served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Marshall community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Shelton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Baxter Shelton 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 Madison County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Baxter Shelton's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Baxter Shelton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Baxter Shelton is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Baxter Shelton was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
