Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Chief Bernice Cameron was shot in the face with a shotgun as he sat in his car. He was killed instantly. Chief Cameron was ambushed and fired upon by three guns including the fatal shotgun blast, a handgun, and a pistol when he and another officer went to investigate a reported disturbance on a darkened street at 1:30 a.m. Eight suspects fled the scene. Six were arrested within a few days in Carthage. The other two were arrested in Sabine, West Virginia a month later. Three of the suspects were sentenced to life in prison. One was paroled on March 13, 1979. The other five received sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years. Chief Cameron had served with the Carthage Police Department for only 4 months. He had previously served in law enforcement for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-B4419CC6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Cameron gave the Carthage Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carthage community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Cameron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Bernice Cameron is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernice Cameron's cause is highlighted.
How Bernice Cameron Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernice Cameron is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernice Cameron was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Carthage Police Department are honored on badge.nw.