Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief James Mathews was shot and killed in a gunfight with three men after they escaped from officers who had arrested them for causing a disturbance at a local carnival.
Chief Mathews formed a posse and overtook the suspects one mile north of Walnut Cove. A summons to surrender was met with gun fire. Chief Mathews was shot through the heart but was able to return fire killing one of the suspects and seriously wounding another. The third suspect was captured a short time later.
Rest in peace Police Chief Mathews.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis August 21st, 2022
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- 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.
Chief of Police Mathews served with the Walnut Cove Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Walnut Cove community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Mathews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James H. Mathews 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. James H. Mathews's cause is highlighted.
How James H. Mathews Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James H. Mathews is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James H. Mathews was killed by gun; unknown type.