Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Richmond Powell succumbed to a stab wound inflicted two days earlier.
Two Tarboro police officers were chasing a speeder out of Tarboro and into nearby Princeville when they saw Policeman Powell lying next to the road, Highway 64. They discovered Policeman Powell had a serious head wound and transported him to his home and then to a hospital in Tarboro. Before losing consciousness, he identified his killer, who had stabbed him in the head with a knife. The blade had entered his brain, causing a fatal wound.
Three men were arrested and charged with murder. The killer was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years on the Edgecombe County road gang. Another man was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four months on the Edgecombe County road gang. The third man was acquitted. The trouble that led to the stabbing was never determined but was thought to be over illegal liquor in the possession of the suspects.
Policeman Powell, Princeville's only officer, had the reputation of being a very efficient officer and worked for Princeville for many years. He was survived by his wife and seven children. He was preceded in death by two children.
He is buried in his family cemetery a half mile north of Lawrence, Edgecombe County, near Highway 258 on the east side.
Princeville no longer has a police department and is patrolled by the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-1BA4C44D- 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.
Policeman Powell served with the Princeville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tarboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Powell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Richmond Powell, Jr. 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richmond Powell, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Richmond Powell, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 2 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richmond Powell, Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richmond Powell, Jr. was killed by edged weapon.