Roll of Honor
William Paul Starling
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Starling was shot and killed at 1:00 am while he and other officers were setting up a roadblock after receiving information about a truck carrying liquor. When a vehicle was stopped the driver opened fire because he thought that the officers were robbers. The suspect was shot in return fire by the officers.
Survivors
Deputy Starling was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-4B6EB234- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Starling served with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Castle Hayne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Starling.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Paul Starling 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 New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Paul Starling's cause is highlighted.
How William Paul Starling Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Paul Starling is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Paul Starling was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from New Hanover County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
