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Incident
Patrolman Sonny Vaughn and Sheriff Mercellus Robertson, of the Alamance County Sheriff's Department, were shot and killed by two escaped convicts while responding to a burglary-in-progress at a service station at the corner of North Church Street and Trade Street. Both were met with gunshots from the darkness as they entered the station. A third officer returned fire through a window killing one of the convicts as they tried to escape through a back door. The other convict escaped. Both convicts had escaped from an Anson County Prison Camp on October 22, 1938.
Survivors
Patrolman Vaughn was survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Vaughn gave the Burlington Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Burlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Vaughn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sonny is the only officer of Burlington Police Department remembered here.
Sonny is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Sonny is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sonny 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 1938, 8 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sonny was 55. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Sonny had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Sonny was 55. 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. Sonny had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sonny was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sonny had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 6.2% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Burlington Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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