Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jimmy Trevathan was shot and killed while attempting to stop a vehicle that had just been involved in two hit-and-runs. The vehicle fled when Deputy Trevathan attempted to pull it over. The vehicle finally stopped after a short pursuit. As the driver exited the vehicle, he opened fire on Deputy Trevathan with a .38 caliber revolver, striking him twice. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Trevathan returned fire, striking the subject once in the spine, paralyzing him. The suspect and his girlfriend were charged with several crimes stemming from the incident, including Deputy Trevathan's murder. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 28 years in prison. He was released on March 1, 1976, and died three months later. Deputy Trevathan was a United States Navy WWII veteran and had served with the Surry County Sheriff's Department for 6 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-56083218- 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 Trevathan served with the Surry County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Dobson 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
James Billups Trevathan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff James Billups Trevathan 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 Billups Trevathan's cause is highlighted.
How James Billups Trevathan Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 28 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Billups Trevathan is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Billups Trevathan was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.