Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer George and Deputy Marshal Samuel Lilly, of the United States Marshals Service, were shot and killed after being ambushed at about 1900 hours at approximately 15 miles from Wilmington. The two were returning for a liquor still raid when they were attacked as the crossed a creek. Both officers and Officer George's dog were shot at close range and killed. Four suspects were apprehended. Two of them were father and son and executed for the murders on the same day.
Survivors
Officer George had been with the agency for 25 years and was survived by his mother, brother and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-8E8AF7BB- 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Officer George gave the Wilmington Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer George.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Leon George 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 Wilmington Police Dept., 4 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leon George's cause is highlighted.
How Leon George Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leon George is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leon George was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Wilmington Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
