Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Fleet Underwood succumbed to injuries sustained the previous night when he was attacked by a mob.
He and his partner had responded to a disturbance at the Greasy Spoon Cafe. While placing an intoxicated suspect under arrest the crowd surrounded the officers and attacked them. Patrolman Underwood was struck in the back of the head with a blunt object. His partner recovered from minor injuries. Three days after the incident the cafe burned to the ground.
Three men were arrested and charged with murder. Two were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 to 12 years in prison. Both were paroled in 1943.
Patrolman Underwood had served with the Dunn Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his three children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-607B1B64- 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.
Patrolman Underwood gave the Dunn Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dunn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Underwood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Fleet Martin Underwood 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. Fleet Martin Underwood's cause is highlighted.
How Fleet Martin Underwood Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1943
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fleet Martin Underwood is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fleet Martin Underwood was killed by blunt object.