Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrol Officer William Gilmore was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a call of a large disorderly group playing loud music on Washington Street. After clearing the group, Officer Gilmore was sitting in his patrol car completing a report when a man approached the vehicle and shot him in the face, killing him. The suspect was captured the next day. The 31-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 14th, 1982. Officer Gilmore had served with the Clayton Police Department for 17 months.
Survivors
survivors, family, friends, colleagues and the community at large. Or best wishes if prayer doesn't apply in your life.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-9229997A- 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
You barely got started.
Patrol Officer Gilmore gave the Clayton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Gilmore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer William Rayvon Gilmore, Jr. 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 Clayton Police Department, 3 of 3 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. William Rayvon Gilmore, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Rayvon Gilmore, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Rayvon Gilmore, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Rayvon Gilmore, Jr. was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Clayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
