Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Vernon Eason was shot and killed at a dance hall by a man he attempted to arrest for a minor offense. The suspect fled into the Great Dismal Swamp, pursued by a posse of more than 600 men. He was apprehended the next day.
A month later the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On March 25, 1926, Governor Angus W. McLean commuted his sentence to life after several doctors convinced him that the suspect was insane. He died at the state mental hospital in Goldsboro September 29, 1928.
Deputy Eason was survived by his father, three brothers, and a sister.
Survivors
Deputy Eason was survived by his father, three brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-CCC938FB- Stewardship
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Eason served with the Gates County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gatesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Eason.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff W. Vernon Eason 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. Vernon Eason's cause is highlighted.
How W. Vernon Eason Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. Vernon Eason is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. Vernon Eason was killed by gun; unknown type.