Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Willet Miller was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a subject for possessing whiskey in his home.
He had originally gone to the subject's home at approximately 4:00 pm to serve the warrant but the man wasn't there. As Policeman Miller walked down Main Street he saw the man exit a store and called out to him, but the man ignored him. When Policeman Miller caught up to him the man suddenly turned and shot him four times, and then struck him with his revolver several times.
Policeman Miller was taken to his home where he succumbed to his wounds three days later.
The subject was convicted of Policeman Miller's murder but the conviction was overturned on an appeal.
Policeman Miller was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Policeman Miller was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-656D81A6- 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.
Policeman Miller served with the Blowing Rock Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Blowing Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Miller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman J. Willet Miller 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 Blowing Rock Police Department, 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. J. Willet Miller's cause is highlighted.
How J. Willet Miller Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Willet Miller is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Willet Miller was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Blowing Rock Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
