Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Orville Aderholt was shot and killed during the Loray Mill Strike in Gastonia, North Carolina. Seven men from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts had come to the town to agitate the strikers at the mill. The seven men were convicted of second-degree murder in connection with Chief Aderholt's death. Four of them were sentenced to 20 years in prison. Chief Aderholt had served with the Gastonia Police Department for at least 13 years. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and three sons. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Gastonia, North Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-56141F01- 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.
Chief of Police Aderholt gave the Gastonia Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gastonia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Aderholt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Orville Frank Aderholt Sr. 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 Gastonia Police Department, 3 of 6 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. Orville Frank Aderholt Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Orville Frank Aderholt Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Orville Frank Aderholt Sr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Orville Frank Aderholt Sr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Gastonia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
