Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain Roy Huskey, Trooper Robert Peterson, and Deputy Sheriff Millard Messersmith were shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute between a man and his teenager daughter in Rutherford County. Captain Huskey was the first officer dispatched to the scene and was shot in the head by the suspect as he exited his patrol car. When Captain Huskey failed to check in Deputy Messersmith responded to the scene. As he pulled into the driveway he saw Captain Huskey laying next to the patrol car, and he began to back out of the driveway. The suspect opened fire on Deputy Messersmith as he backed out of the driveway, striking him in the head. A neighbor called the sheriff's office to report that two deputies had been shot. Trooper Peterson heard garbled radio traffic, and although couldn't make out the transmissions, determined something was wrong and began to head toward Rutherfordton. As he drove into town the suspect sped by him. Trooper Peterson turned around and attempted to stop the car, thinking it was a speeding vehicle and not knowing the suspect had just murdered two deputies. Trooper Peterson's last transmission was that the suspect was running into the woods. Trooper Peterson was found suffering a from a gunshot wound to the head. His service revolver had been fired once. The suspect was apprehended, convicted of capital murder, and executed in 1984. Captain Huskey had served with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his extended family and his brother, who was the sheriff of Rutherford County.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-EDBB6FF8- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Captain Huskey gave the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rutherfordton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Huskey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain Roy Huskey 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 Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy Huskey's cause is highlighted.
How Roy Huskey Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1984
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy Huskey is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy Huskey was killed by rifle; .30-.06.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rutherford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
