Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: North Carolina Weapon: Handgun; .32 caliber Offender: Sentenced to 30 years
Railroad Detective Frank Lakey was shot and killed while struggling with a subject near the railroad station at Ridgecrest, North Carolina, at approximately 11:00 pm. He was riding a freight train from Asheville to Salisbury and discovered the man stealing from a boxcar as the train was stopped in Ridgecrest. Detective Lakey was shot in the head twice as he struggled with the man.
Ten months later a 23-year-old man arrested in Greenville, South Carolina, confessed to the Buncombe County Sheriff that he killed Detective Lakey. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years. On April 23, 1942, he escaped from a Buncombe County prison farm.
Detective Lakey had served with the Southern Railway Police Department for two years. He had previously served with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office and as a Washington State forest ranger.
Railroad Detective Frank Lakey was shot and killed while struggling with a subject near the railroad station at Ridgecrest, North Carolina, at approximately 11:00 pm. He was riding a freight train from Asheville to Salisbury and discovered the man stealing from a boxcar as the train was stopped in Ridgecrest. Detective Lakey was shot in the head twice as he struggled with the man.
Det. Lakey, On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice as a Law Enforcement Officer.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) January 10th, 2025
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- 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.
Railroad Detective Lakey gave the Southern Railway Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Lakey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Frank B. Lakey 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Southern Railway Police Department, 17 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 94.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank B. Lakey's cause is highlighted.
How Frank B. Lakey Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank B. Lakey is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank B. Lakey was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Southern Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
