Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Ralph East and Patrolman Glenn Branscome were shot and killed when they stopped a vehicle on U.S. 52 (current-day W 52 Bypass) near East Surry High School. Officers in the area were asked to be on the lookout for four men wanted for armed robbery. The suspects had robbed two Forsyth County service stations, one in Winston-Salem, the other in Rural Hall. Around 11:00 p.m., Patrolman Branscome and Patrolman East spotted the vehicle and pulled them over. As soon as they exited their patrol vehicle, one suspect used a 22 caliber pistol to shoot both officers, then obtained Officer East's service weapon (38 caliber) and shot each officer again. The suspects were arrested in Winston-Salem a short time later. The gunman was convicted of two counts of murder and received two death sentences on November 21, 1969. His sentence was commuted to two life prison sentences when the Supreme Court ruled all death sentences unconstitutional in 1972. He died in prison on December 14, 2011. The other three suspects received 10 years each for accessory to murder and an additional 30 to 40 years for armed robbery on November 21, 1969. One of the three was released from prison on July 18, 1985. Another one was released on November 24, 1992, and sent back to prison for 10 years on June 5, 2001, for armed robbery. Patrolman East had served with Pilot Mountain Police Department for two years and had previously served with the agency before serving with the Surry County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, three sons, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-7AB6576B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman East gave the Pilot Mountain Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pilot Mountain community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman East.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ralph East 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 97,756 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 Pilot Mountain Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Ralph East's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph East Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph East is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph East was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pilot Mountain Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
