Willis Jackson Genes

Fayetteville Police Department — Fayetteville, NC

Felonious

End of Watch March 16, 1939

Age 46

The Vigil Panel 75 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Patrolman Genes was shot and killed with his own service weapon while arresting a man for drunk and disorderly conduct. As Patrolman Gense and two other officers took the man down the stairs the man's foot got stuck between two boards. As the officers attempted to free the man's foot he grabbed Patrolman Genes' service weapon and shot him in the back, killing him instantly. The other officers subdued the suspect and transported him to jail. The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison May 8, 1939. He was paroled on November 27, 1940. On February 15, 1947, he stabbed to death a Fort Bragg soldier in Fayetteville. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 7 to 15 years.

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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.
Patrolman Genes served with the Fayetteville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Genes.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Fayetteville Police Department

Location Fayetteville, NC

Platform Identity fpd.cumberland.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 16, 1939

Age 46

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Paroled in 1940

Patrolman Willis Jackson Genes 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 Fayetteville Police Department, 7 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this agency's fallen.

Fayetteville Police Department

of 10 officers

70% Felonious

NC — Statewide

385

of 664 officers

58% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious