Prev
Sampson Elisha Cole
Incident
Rural Police Officer Sampson Cole was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance in which a man had threatened another man with a handgun. The victim left the scene in search of a police officer and located Officer Cole.
Officer Cole and his son-in-law followed the man back to the location, near present-day East Sugar Creek Road, where they confronted him on a set of railroad tracks. Officer Cole drew his service revolver and ordered the man to raise his hands. The suspect raised his left hand and then reached into his right pocket and produced a revolver. He immediately opened fire, wounding Officer Cole's son-in-law in the chest and striking Officer Cole in the abdomen and neck, mortally wounding him.
The suspect fled the scene but was arrested several days later in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He was returned to Charlotte where he was charged with murder. The jury found him guilty of the less serious charge of manslaughter and sentenced him to two years on the county chain gang.
Officer Cole had served with the Mecklenburg County Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnmbaq2k436xxd0zq957- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Sampson. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Rural Police Officer Cole gave the Mecklenburg County Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Rural Police Officer Cole.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mecklenburg County Police Department has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Sampson is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Sampson is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sampson 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 1905, 1 officer at Mecklenburg County Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 2.
In 1905, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sampson was 57. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Mecklenburg County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 46.3; the middle age was 38.5. Sampson had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Sampson was 57. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Sampson had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Sampson was 57. 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. Sampson had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sampson was 57. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sampson had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 16.7% of these deaths at Mecklenburg County Police Department; February holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 33.3%.
January holds 6.5% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Mecklenburg County Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Mecklenburg County Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Sampson among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Mecklenburg County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
