Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Edgar Williams was shot and fatally wounded by a man he attempted to arrest. He was carried to a hospital in Charlotte where he died from a gunshot wound to the stomach four days later.
The suspect was apprehended and executed in the electric chair on May 25th, 1917.
Policeman Williams was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Policeman Williams was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-D67B7135- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew R.. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Williams served with the Wingate Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wingate community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman R. Edgar Williams 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. R. Edgar Williams's cause is highlighted.
How R. Edgar Williams Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1917
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. R. Edgar Williams is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. R. Edgar Williams was killed by gun; unknown type.