Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Porter Collins was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a man who had failed to appear on a drunk driving charge. He allowed the suspect to go back into his home to get more clothing. He returned with a shotgun and shot Sheriff Collins once at close range killing him instantly. The suspect fled into the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. He was captured the next day when officers found him hiding in the attic of a cabin near Lowgap. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on February 1, 1955. He was paroled December 10, 1981.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-EC2392E8- 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 Collins gave the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sparta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Collins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Porter Commodore Collins 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 Alleghany 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. Porter Commodore Collins's cause is highlighted.
How Porter Commodore Collins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Porter Commodore Collins is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Porter Commodore Collins was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Alleghany County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
