Roll of Honor
Millard Owen Messersmith
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Millard Messersmith, Trooper Robert Peterson, and Captain Roy Huskey were shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute between a man and his teenager daughter in Rutherford County. Captain Huskey was the first officer dispatched to the scene and was shot in the head by the suspect as he exited his patrol car. When Captain Huskey failed to check in Deputy Messersmith responded to the scene. As he pulled into the driveway he saw Captain Huskey laying next to the patrol car, and he began to back out of the driveway. The suspect opened fire on Deputy Messersmith as he backed out of the driveway, striking him in the head. A neighbor called the sheriff's office to report that two deputies had been shot. Trooper Peterson heard garbled radio traffic, and although couldn't make out the transmissions, determined something was wrong and began to head toward Rutherfordton. As he drove into town the suspect sped by him. Trooper Peterson turned around and attempted to stop the car, thinking it was a speeding vehicle and not knowing the suspect had just murdered two deputies. Trooper Peterson's last transmission was that the suspect was running into the woods. Trooper Peterson was found suffering a from a gunshot wound to the head. His service revolver had been fired once. The suspect was apprehended, convicted of capital murder, and executed in 1984.
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- 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 Messersmith served with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Rutherfordton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Messersmith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Millard Owen Messersmith served in the the United States military (1942â1945) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Millard Owen Messersmith 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 Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, 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. Millard Owen Messersmith's cause is highlighted.
How Millard Owen Messersmith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Millard Owen Messersmith is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Millard Owen Messersmith was killed by rifle.
Military Service
Millard Owen Messersmith served in the United States military (1942–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Millard Owen Messersmith’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rutherford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
