Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Gurney Royall was shot and killed with his own service weapon after he and his partner responded to a disturbance call at Third Street and Church Street. The suspect was able to gain control of Patrolman Royall's weapon and fired it five times. The last shot struck Patrolman Royall in the head. The suspect was taken into custody by Patrolman Royall's partner and other officers. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death September 11, 1941. His sentence was commuted to life January 28, 1942. On January 1, 1957, his sentence was reduced to 39 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-E4C0A53E- 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 Gurney. 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.
Patrolman Royall gave the Winston-Salem Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winston-Salem community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Royall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Gurney Royall 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 Winston-Salem Police Dept., 10 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gurney Royall's cause is highlighted.
How Gurney Royall Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gurney Royall is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gurney Royall was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Winston-Salem Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
