Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Land was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm at a local bank at 12:54 pm. As he and another deputy ran up to the bank, a lone gunman shot him through the glass front door. After the gunman and the other deputy exchanged several gunshots, the gunman came to the door holding the bank manager hostage. The gunman ordered the deputy to handcuff himself to a porch rail and forced the bank manager to drive him north on N.C. 54 in the bank manager's vehicle. After being chased a few miles by several state troopers, the gunman ordered the bank manager to stop. The gunman refused to release his hostage and surrender when ordered to do so by the troopers. At this point, the bank manager grabbed the gunman's gun and drove into a nearby ditch. Several troopers forced their way into the vehicle, subdued the gunman, and took him into custody. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder, bank robbery, assault, and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 115 years in prison. He was released from prison on August 9, 1993. Deputy Land was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Durham County Sheriff's Office for a month.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-1F6D8F9A- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Land served with the Durham County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Durham community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Thomas Land served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff William Thomas Land 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 Durham County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Thomas Land's cause is highlighted.
How William Thomas Land Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 115 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Thomas Land is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Thomas Land was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Durham County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
