Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Thomas Bebber was shot and killed when he and a deputy responded to a domestic dispute in which a 38-year-old man was throwing rocks at his father's house. While in the house the man picked up a .22 caliber rifle and shot Sheriff Bebber in the back, killing him. The suspect surrendered one hour later and was charged with murder. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison October 2, 1959. He died in prison May 21, 2002. Sheriff Bebber was survived by his wife and five children. One of his sons later became sheriff of Alexander County.
Survivors
Sheriff Bebber was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-91667948- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Bebber gave the Alexander County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Taylorsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Bebber.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Thomas Elisha Bebber, Sr. 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. Thomas Elisha Bebber, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Elisha Bebber, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Elisha Bebber, Sr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Elisha Bebber, Sr. was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.