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Incident
Corporal Joe Massey was shot and killed in an act of revenge by a cab driver to whom he had written a ticket earlier in the morning. The cab driver dropped his fare off and then went home to retrieve his pistol. He then waited for Corporal Massey to perform his routine rounds. He located Corporal Massey sitting in a service station across from 625 East Market Street completing paperwork shortly after midnight. The man entered the service station, called out to Officer Massey, and then shot him six times as he sat at the desk. The 31-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. Corporal Massey had served with the Greensboro Police Department for 12 years and was one of the first African American officers hired by the agency. He was a widower.
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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.
Corporal Massey gave the Greensboro Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greensboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Massey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greensboro Police Department has lost 14 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Joe is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Joe is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe 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 1959, 1 officer at Greensboro Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1959, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1959, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1959, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joe was 42. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Greensboro Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 47; the middle age was 42. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Joe was 42. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joe was 42. 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. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 28.6% of these deaths at Greensboro Police Department; December holds the most, 28.6%. Sundays: 28.6%.
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Sundays: 13.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 14 deaths at Greensboro Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Greensboro Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
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William T. McCuiston
May 4, 1921
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Andrew C. Calhoun
May 29, 1921
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Elmer E. Honeycutt
Jun 15, 1924
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Joe R. Massey
May 31, 1959
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Edward Ford
Jun 8, 1962
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Joseph Gibbs Cooper
Aug 23, 1970
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Arthur Glenn Craft, Jr.
Feb 14, 1974
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Michael Gray Winslow
Jun 27, 1978
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Porter Link Robinson
Nov 23, 1992
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David L. Taylor
Aug 7, 2001
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Jared William Franks
Nov 10, 2018
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Donald Carter Webb Jr.
Jun 28, 2022
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Philip Dale Nix
Dec 30, 2023
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Michael Horan
Dec 23, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Greensboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
