Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Thomas Bebber was shot and killed when he and a deputy responded to a domestic dispute in which a 38-year-old man was throwing rocks at his father's house. While in the house the man picked up a .22 caliber rifle and shot Sheriff Bebber in the back, killing him. The suspect surrendered one hour later and was charged with murder. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison October 2, 1959. He died in prison May 21, 2002. Sheriff Bebber was survived by his wife and five children. One of his sons later became sheriff of Alexander County.
Survivors
Sheriff Bebber was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-91667948- 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.
Sheriff Bebber gave the Alexander County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Taylorsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Bebber.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Thomas Elisha Bebber 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Elisha Bebber Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Elisha Bebber Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Elisha Bebber Sr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Elisha Bebber Sr. was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Alexander County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.