Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Dewey Swain was shot and killed when he and another deputy attempted to serve mental commitment papers on a man in the Colerain community of the county. Deputy Swain was struck by a shotgun blast that came from inside the house as he exited his patrol car at the residence. Over 50 officers responded to the location from Bertie and neighboring counties. The suspect was forced from the home with tear gas and taken into custody. The suspect was convicted of Deputy Swain's murder and sentenced to prison on November 15, 1972. He died in prison on October 24, 1973.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-1112D6BF- Stewardship
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- 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 Swain served with the Bertie County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Windsor community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Swain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Dewey L. Swain 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 Bertie County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Dewey L. Swain's cause is highlighted.
How Dewey L. Swain Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dewey L. Swain is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dewey L. Swain was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bertie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
