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Incident
Chief of Police Wayne Hathaway succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day after responding to a domestic dispute call at the Weaver Estates Mobile Home Community in Sharpsburg around 12:40 p.m. The suspect, 25, also shot and killed his wife during the incident. He was apprehended following a search involving several hundred officers. On November 10, 1999, the suspect was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. On November 18, 1999, he was given two death sentences for the murder of his wife and Chief Hathaway, but the death sentence was overturned, and he was sentenced to two life sentences. Chief Hathaway had served as chief of the 6-man department for 25 years. He is survived by his son. A portion of U.S. 301 through Sharpsburg was named after him.
Survivors
He is survived by his son.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Hathaway gave the Sharpsburg Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Sharpsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Hathaway.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Willard is the only officer of Sharpsburg Police Department remembered here.
Willard is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Willard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willard 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 1997, 5 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willard was 47. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Willard had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Willard was 47. 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. Willard had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willard was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Willard had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Sharpsburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Sharpsburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.