Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Wright was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle occupied by three men on a rural road near Helena in Person County. As he walked from his patrol car to the vehicle, the driver shot him in the chest three times and then sped away. A nearby farmer who saw the incident called for help and helped Patrolman Wright get back to his car. He died just before help arrived. Three days later, three Durham men were apprehended and charged with Patrolman Wright's murder. On March 13, 1973, the driver, 21, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. As of June 15, 2023, he remains in prison. Patrolman Wright was a U.S Army Korean War veteran and served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-C51C9C35- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Wright gave the North Carolina Highway Patrol 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of North Carolina, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Griffin Wright served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Joseph Griffin Wright 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 North Carolina Highway Patrol, 23 of 69 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Griffin Wright's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Griffin Wright Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Griffin Wright is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Griffin Wright was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
68 officers from North Carolina Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
