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Incident
Sergeant Gill Cates was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for shooting and wounding his wife. Sergeant Cates found the man sitting on his front porch on Chatham Street, near Broad Street, in West Durham. When Sergeant Cates put his hand on the man's shoulder the suspect suddenly raised a .44 caliber handgun that had been in his lap and shot him. A sheriff's deputy who was with Sergeant Cates returned fire and killed the suspect. Sergeant Cates had served with the Durham Police Department for 12 years.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Cates gave the Durham Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Durham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Cates.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Durham Police Department has lost 7 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Gill is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Gill is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gill 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 1913, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gill was 39. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Gill had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Gill was 39. 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. Gill had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gill was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gill had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 7 deaths at Durham Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 22.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Durham Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Gill among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Durham Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
