Roll of Honor
Incident
Detention Officer Francisco Flattes was shot and killed by a federal inmate at the Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital at 3990 E. U.S. Highway 64 Alt in Murphy, North Carolina.
Officer Flattes and another officer transported the inmate to a medical appointment when the inmate took Officer Flattes' gun and mortally wounded him. The inmate fled into the parking lot and drove off after carjacking a vehicle.
Officer Flattes was transported to the local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Another officer was also injured in the scuffle and is recovering.
The inmate was apprehended after a standoff.
Officer Flattes had served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, who also served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, four daughters, two sons, and 15 grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-326E2C49- 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.
Detention Officer Flattes gave the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Murphy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Flattes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes 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 Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 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. Francisco Paul Flattes's cause is highlighted.
How Francisco Paul Flattes Compares
Offender Outcome
In custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francisco Paul Flattes is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francisco Paul Flattes was killed by officer's weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
