Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Zack Ramsey was shot and killed by a man he attempted to arrest at his home in Murphy for failure to submit to vaccination.
Deputy Ramsey managed to return fire, wounding the suspect. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life on April 2, 1943.
Deputy Ramsey had served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for eight years and previously served as Sheriff for two years. His father had also served as the Sheriff of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, one daughter, four brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-6139D427- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Ramsey gave the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Murphy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ramsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Zack C. Ramsey 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. Zack C. Ramsey's cause is highlighted.
How Zack C. Ramsey Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Zack C. Ramsey is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Zack C. Ramsey was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
