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John Oliver Edwards
Agency patch
Wildlife Officer

John Oliver Edwards

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission — Raleigh, NC
Accident
United States flag North Carolina flag
End of Watch August 3, 1963
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
The Vigil Panel 98 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 9

Incident

Wildlife Officer John Edwards was killed in an automobile crash on State Highway 24 in Duplin County while conducting an operation against deer poachers. His vehicle crossed the center line of the highway and collided with a Trailways bus head-on approximately six miles west of Beulaville. Officer Edwards had served with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three brothers, and five half-brothers.

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.
Wildlife Officer Edwards gave the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Officer Edwards.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Type Other
Location Raleigh, Wake County, NC
Platform Identity ncwrccons.wake.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 3, 1963
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1963, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Wildlife Officer John Oliver Edwards

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission · End of Watch August 3, 1963

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W

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