Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Mercellus Robertson and Patrolman Sonny Vaughn, of the Burlington Police Department, were shot and killed by two escaped convicts while responding to a burglary-in-progress at a service station at the corner of North Church Street and Trade Street. Both were met with gunshots from the darkness as they entered the station. A third officer returned fire through a window killing one of the convicts as they tried to escape through a back door. The other convict escaped. Both convicts had escaped from an Anson County Prison Camp on October 22, 1938. Sheriff Robertson was killed on his second day in office. He had previously served with the Burlington Police Department for eight years.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-42C04CCC- 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.
Sheriff Robertson served with the Alamance County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Graham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Robertson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Mercellus P. Robertson 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 Alamance 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. Mercellus P. Robertson's cause is highlighted.
How Mercellus P. Robertson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mercellus P. Robertson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mercellus P. Robertson was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Alamance County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
