Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Ted Elmore succumbed to wounds sustained on November 11, 1971, when he was shot while making a traffic stop on Highway 64-70, east of the Hickory Motor Speedway, in Conover, shortly before 5:00 a.m.
Unbeknownst to Lieutenant Elmore, he had stopped two members of the radical Black Panthers who had shot and wounded an Atlanta, Georgia, police officer several weeks earlier. As he exited his patrol car, the occupants of the vehicle opened fire, striking him in the right arm, disabling it. As he tried to draw his weapon with his left hand, he was shot again in the abdomen and fell to the ground. The assailants then shot him a third time, hitting him in the back, severing his spinal cord, and causing paralysis.
The suspects abandoned their car and fled into a nearby wooded area. After a massive manhunt, both were apprehended. Their car was found to contain several rifles, three shotguns, a bazooka, and 14,000 rounds of ammunition.
On February 15, 1973, both suspects were convicted of felonious and secret assault. One was sentenced to 23 to 25 years in prison. He was paroled on August 3, 1990. The other suspect was sentenced to 5 years. He was paroled on September 28, 1975.
Lieutenant Elmore remained paralyzed until passing away 11 years later. It was determined that his passing was a direct result of his wounds.
Lieutenant Elmore had served with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-3E2B64FE- 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.
Lieutenant Elmore gave the Catawba County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Elmore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Ted Cephus Elmore 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 Catawba County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ted Cephus Elmore's cause is highlighted.
How Ted Cephus Elmore Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ted Cephus Elmore is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ted Cephus Elmore was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Catawba County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
