Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrol Officer Terry Lanier was stabbed to death while attempting to arrest a mentally disturbed man brandishing a knife near Briynn Marr Road and Western Boulevard in Jacksonville. As Officer Lanier approached the suspect from behind, he observed the knife and attempted to warn the other officers. However, the suspect immediately turned around and slashed Officer Lanier in the throat, severing his jugular vein. Officer Lanier was pronounced deceased upon arrival at Onslow Memorial Hospital at 11:15 a.m. Other officers on the scene opened fire on the suspect, wounding him. The suspect was found incompetent to stand trial and committed at Dorothea Dix Mental Hospital in Raleigh. Officer Lanier was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Jacksonville Police Department for three years. He was survived by his parents. His uncle also served with the Jacksonville Police Department at the time of his murder.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-ACE5C49F- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrol Officer Lanier gave the Jacksonville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Terry Lee Lanier served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrol Officer Terry Lee Lanier 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 Jacksonville Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Terry Lee Lanier's cause is highlighted.
How Terry Lee Lanier Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Terry Lee Lanier is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Terry Lee Lanier was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Jacksonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
