Incident
Investigator Warren Lewis was shot and killed while serving a murder warrant with the Eastern North Carolina Fugitive Task Force at approximately 7:00 pm.
Investigator Lewis, along with members of the United States Marshals Service, went to a residence on West Lenoir Avenue in Kinston to serve a warrant in connection with a murder investigation. They were conducting a search of the residence when Investigator Lewis was shot and killed.
Five suspects, including three who were wanted in connection with the original murder warrant, were arrested at the location after a 30 minute standoff. Four of the subjects were charged with Investigator Lewis' murder and two were also charged in connection with the original murder warrant.
On August 4, 2014, the 21-year-old shooter pleaded guilty to a federal charge of first degree murder at the Federal Court in Raleigh and was sentenced to life without parole. The next day in Lenoir County Superior Court he pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole a second time. He was also sentenced to 88 months for malicious conduct by a prisoner stemming from an incident in March of 2012 when he threw urine on a female corrections officer.
Investigator Lewis had served with the Nash County Sheriff's Office for nine years and was a sworn Deputy United States Marshal assigned to the Eastern North Carolina Fugitive Task Force.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-1192FC27- 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.
Investigator Lewis gave the Nash County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Lewis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator Warren Basco "Sneak" Lewis, III 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 Nash County Sheriff's Dept., 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Warren Basco "Sneak" Lewis, III's cause is highlighted.
How Warren Basco "Sneak" Lewis, III Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Warren Basco "Sneak" Lewis, III is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Warren Basco "Sneak" Lewis, III was killed by handgun; .40 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nash County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.

