Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Thomas DeVane succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier.
He was accosted at the intersection of 5th Street and Orange Street and shot once in the groin. He was taken to his home where he succumbed to his wounds two days later.
On the same night that Officer DeVane was shot and killed, a group of drunk Union soldiers attacked police officers in several other locations. No suspects were ever identified or arrested in connection with his murder.
Officer DeVane was a Confederate Army veteran and had served with the Wilmington Police Department for only six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-F865A440- 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.
Officer DeVane served with the Wilmington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Thank you 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
Thomas DeVane, V served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Thomas DeVane, V 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 Wilmington Police Dept., 4 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas DeVane, V's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas DeVane, V Compares
Offender Outcome
Never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas DeVane, V is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas DeVane, V was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Wilmington Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
