Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant John Howell was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute in which a man had assaulted his daughter at 6:39 p.m. When Sergeant Howell arrived at the location, the man's son let him into the house. While inside, he exchanged shots with the father, who was armed with a .22 caliber rifle. Sergeant Howell was struck in the chest and hand. He was able to make it to his patrol car and called for assistance before succumbing to his wounds. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder and assault. He was convicted of second-degree murder on March 1st, 1974, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was released on May 28, 1982. In May of 1995, he was killed when a tractor turned over on top of him. Sergeant Howell was a U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran and Bronze Star recipient who had served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-CEA5192D- 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.
Sergeant Howell gave the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lincolnton 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
John Hugh Howell, II served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant John Hugh Howell, II 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. John Hugh Howell, II's cause is highlighted.
How John Hugh Howell, II Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 25 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Hugh Howell, II is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Hugh Howell, II was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.