Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Cloaninger was shot and killed near Mayhew as he and two Mooresville policemen attempted to serve a warrant on a man for assault with a deadly weapon.
The suspect resisted arrest, produced a pistol and opened fire. Deputy Cloaninger returned fire, seriously wounding the suspect. As the officers were examining his wounds his brother arrived on the scene and attacked Deputy Cloaninger. As Deputy Cloaninger repelled his attacker, another brother came up and shot him twice in the back. Both brothers fled from the scene and escaped.
The suspect who shot Deputy Cloaninger was apprehended the next day near Davidson. He was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair September 20, 1920. The suspect who Deputy Cloaninger shot was sentenced to 30 years in prison. On March 28, 1921, he escaped from the state penitentiary and was never recaptured. The third suspect was apprehended in Welsh, West Virginia, March 29, 1923. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison May 27, 1923.
No passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 3rd, 2020
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BO-US-NC-650832EB- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cloaninger served with the Iredell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Statesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cloaninger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert Lloyd Cloaninger is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Iredell County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Lloyd Cloaninger's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Lloyd Cloaninger Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Lloyd Cloaninger is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Lloyd Cloaninger was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Iredell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
