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Incident
Patrolman William Kearns was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance involving several individuals on West Depot Street.
Patrolman Kearns had been on duty at the railroad depot and had gone home just before midnight for his lunch break. A few minutes after he left home to return to duty, he encountered three men near his house on West Depot Street who had been drinking and were creating a disturbance. When he attempted to arrest the men, one of them produced a pistol and exchanged shots with Patrolman Kearns, killing him.
The suspects all fled the scene but were eventually apprehended. The man who shot Patrolman Kearns was executed by hanging on September 2nd, 1900.
Patrolman Kearns was a part-time officer and was only called to duty when the chief of police was out of town.
West Depot Street no longer exists. It was on the opposite side of the railroad tracks from Scott Avenue SW.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Kearns served with the Concord Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Concord community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Concord Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1899, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1899, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1899, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 26. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
William was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Concord Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 11.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Concord Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Concord Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
