Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Tim Brackeen succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while attempting to arrest a man near the intersection of DeKalb and Gidney Streets. The suspect was wanted for armed robbery and kidnapping.
He was searching the area when other officers who were on scene heard several gunshots. They located Officer Brackeen moments later suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to Cleveland Regional Medical Center and then transferred to Carolinas Medical Center, where he remained until succumbing to his wounds.
The 23-year-old suspect was captured four days later by a SWAT team in Coventry, Rhode Island. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the left torso fired by Officer Brackeen. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in October 2019.
Officer Brackeen had served with the Shelby Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the Canine Unit. He was survived by his wife and six-year-old daughter. His canine partner, Ciko, was retired and is now living with a trainer that has known Ciko since he was a puppy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-758D9C5E- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
K9 Officer Brackeen gave the Shelby Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Shelby community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, K9 Officer Brackeen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
K9 Officer Timothy James Brackeen 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 Shelby 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. Timothy James Brackeen's cause is highlighted.
How Timothy James Brackeen Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Timothy James Brackeen is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Timothy James Brackeen was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Shelby Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
