Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Matthew Fishman was shot and killed while serving involuntary commitment papers on the 2500 block of Arrington Bridge Road in Dudley.
The subject fired at Sergeant Fishman and two other deputies as they arrived at the home at about 10:30 am. The man barricaded himself inside the house until a SWAT team entered at 8:00 pm and found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sergeant Fishman was transported to ECU Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds the next day. The two other deputies were transported to ECU Medical Center and Wayne UNC Hospital in stable condition.
Sergeant Fishman had served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for 12 years and had previously served with the Mount Olive Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-6AD9160C- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Fishman gave the Wayne County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Goldsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Fishman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Matthew Ryan Fishman 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 Wayne County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Matthew Ryan Fishman's cause is highlighted.
How Matthew Ryan Fishman Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Matthew Ryan Fishman is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Matthew Ryan Fishman was killed by not available.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wayne County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
