Mark Reid Tucker
Agency patch
Investigator

Mark Reid Tucker

Felonious
End of Watch February 12, 2004
Age 49
Tour of Duty 28 yrs
The Vigil Panel 151 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Investigator Mark Tucker was shot and killed as he investigated shots being fired.

He observed the suspect firing a shotgun in a field. The suspect, who was on felony probation, thought he was going to be arrested for firearms possession so he shot and killed Investigator Tucker. His body was found next to his unmarked patrol car near the intersection of Holly Springs and Winding Oak Roads. His service weapon was still in its holster.

The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended two days later after investigator received a tip from a member of the community on a hotline that had been set up.

The man, 18, was arrested and charged with murder. Two other men, both 18, were also arrested and charged with helping the suspect hide from police. The killer was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. The two accomplices were sentenced to nine months in prison and 36 months of probation.

Investigator Tucker had served with the Wake County Sheriff's Office for 24 years and had also served with the United States Marshals Service for four years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, two sons, parents, sister, and three brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-1DE89AF0
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Mark. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

28 years. You could have gone home.
Investigator Tucker gave the Wake County Sheriff's Office 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Tucker.

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

Agency

Location Raleigh, NC
Platform Identity wcso.wake.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 12, 2004
Tour of Duty 28 yrs
Age 49
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Sentenced to life

Investigator Mark Reid Tucker 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 Wake County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Wake County Sheriff's Office
4
of 6 officers
66.7% Felonious
NC — Statewide
385
of 664 officers
58% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mark Reid Tucker's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Mark Reid Tucker Compares

Age at End of Watch
49
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mark Reid Tucker is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mark Reid Tucker was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location