William R. Carter

Roanoke City Police Department — Roanoke, VA

Felonious

End of Watch December 12, 1930

Age 56

The Vigil Panel 61 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Patrolman William Carter was killed when he was intentionally thrown from a vehicle on Dec. 11 while attempting to pursue a whiskey-runner. He observed the whiskey car driving on 11th Street, SW, and he flagged down the next car to pass by. He jumped on the running board and ordered it to follow the first car. Unbeknownst to Patrolman Carter, the vehicle was the pilot car for the whiskey car. The driver suddenly swerved and applied the brakes, causing Patrolman Carter to be thrown from the vehicle and strike his head on a curb. He died the next day.

Survivors

Patrolman Carter was survived by his wife and other family members.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-VA-BDB5B840
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.
Patrolman Carter served with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Carter.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Roanoke City Police Department

Location Roanoke, VA

Platform Identity roanpd.roanoke.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 12, 1930

Age 56

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Offender Not available

Patrolman William R. Carter 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Roanoke City Police Department, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Roanoke City Police Department

of 15 officers

80% Felonious

VA — Statewide

395

of 654 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious