Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Ronnie McGraw was shot and killed as he and other officers raided a gambling house on East Fourth Street at 1:45 am. He was shot in the chest and back as he led his officers into the home. Over $42,000 in cash, a shotgun, and eight handguns were confiscated in the house, and 17 suspects were arrested. Only one suspect was charged with Officer McGraw's murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison on May 9, 1971. On August 30, 1972, he was granted a new trial because a judge ruled that the raid was conducted with an invalid search warrant. The suspect was acquitted at his new trial on January 9, 1973. Officer McGraw was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Mecklenburg County Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-21BE34D2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer McGraw gave the Mecklenburg County Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ronnie E. McGraw served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Ronnie E. McGraw is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Mecklenburg County Police Department, 6 of 6 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. Ronnie E. McGraw's cause is highlighted.
How Ronnie E. McGraw Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronnie E. McGraw is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronnie E. McGraw was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Mecklenburg County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
