Roll of Honor
Samuel William Pinnell
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Sam Pinnell was shot and killed by a man he was attempting to arrest for a murder he had committed in 1913.
Deputy Pinnell and several other deputies had gone to the man's home near Afton.
The man was convicted of first-degree murder and executed in the electric chair on April 4th, 1930.
I never got to know my Grandfather Pinnell. He was my Fathers Father and he only remembered holding his leg as a three to four year old little boy. He did not remember his face. Criminals have always had there way since I was born but this particular killer became a light bulb as he deserved. I feel that society has gone down the wrong path of justice. Jail should not be a business as it is today. Justice should be served and killers dealt with no matter what color race creed or religion they follow. When we as Americans wake up to this fact our world will be a better place to raise our families!
Sam Pinnell Grandson to SW Pinnell August 8th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-9705B739- 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Pinnell served with the Warren County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Warrenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Pinnell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff Samuel William Pinnell 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 Warren County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel William Pinnell's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel William Pinnell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel William Pinnell is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel William Pinnell was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Warren County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
