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Incident
Patrolman Ralph East and Patrolman Glenn Branscome were shot and killed when they stopped a vehicle on U.S. 52 (current-day W 52 Bypass) near East Surry High School. Officers in the area were asked to be on the lookout for four men wanted for armed robbery. The suspects had robbed two Forsyth County service stations, one in Winston-Salem, the other in Rural Hall. Around 11:00 p.m., Patrolman Branscome and Patrolman East spotted the vehicle and pulled them over. As soon as they exited their patrol vehicle, one suspect used a 22 caliber pistol to shoot both officers, then obtained Officer East's service weapon (38 caliber) and shot each officer again. The suspects were arrested in Winston-Salem a short time later. The gunman was convicted of two counts of murder and received two death sentences on November 21, 1969. His sentence was commuted to two life prison sentences when the Supreme Court ruled all death sentences unconstitutional in 1972. He died in prison on December 14, 2011. The other three suspects received 10 years each for accessory to murder and an additional 30 to 40 years for armed robbery on November 21, 1969. One of the three was released from prison on July 18, 1985. Another one was released on November 24, 1992, and sent back to prison for 10 years on June 5, 2001, for armed robbery. Patrolman East had served with Pilot Mountain Police Department for two years and had previously served with the agency before serving with the Surry County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, three sons, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman East gave the Pilot Mountain Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pilot Mountain community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman East.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pilot Mountain Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Ralph is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 60. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ralph was 60. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 60. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Pilot Mountain Police Department. 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pilot Mountain Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 57-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pilot Mountain Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
