Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal David Hathcock and Sergeant Lloyd Lowry, of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, were shot and killed during a traffic stop that Sergeant Lowry had initiated. Sergeant Lowry had stopped a car on I-95, at Exit 52 in Fayetteville, and called for backup after discovering that it was stolen. Corporal Hathcock arrived and took the passenger out of the car as Sergeant Lowry took the driver out. As they attempted to handcuff the two suspects, a fight broke out, and the passenger was able to return to the vehicle and retrieve a fully automatic AK-47. He opened fire on both officers, striking them several times. The driver then took Sergeant Lowry's weapon and shot both officers several more times at close range before fleeing. A passing motorist who witnessed the incident called police from a cell phone and followed the suspects, even after being fired upon, until other officers began a chase. Both suspects were arrested after a brief foot chase when their vehicle spun out of control as they attempted to exit the highway. The two suspects were brothers, 17 and 19, from Virginia who had just robbed a bank in South Carolina. On April 29th, 1998, both brothers were convicted of two counts of capital murder, armed robbery, possession of a stolen car, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. On May 13th, 1998, they were both sentenced to death. One subject had his sentence reduced to life in prison in 2005 when the United States Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to execute convicted murderers who committed their crimes as juveniles. On December 13th, 2012, the older brother's death sentence was commuted to life; however, the death sentence was reimposed in January 2017. On September 26, 2020, because it was said that racial bias was a significant factor in his death sentence, his death sentence was again commuted to life. As of June 9, 2023, both were in prison. Corporal Hathcock had served with the Cumberland
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Corporal Hathcock gave the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Hathcock.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal David Walter Hathcock 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 Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, 11 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Walter Hathcock's cause is highlighted.
How David Walter Hathcock Compares
Offender Outcome
traffic stop
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Walter Hathcock is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Walter Hathcock was killed by rifle; ak-47.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
