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Incident
Chief of Police Charley Dunn was shot and mortally wounded by a man who had just shot a state senator and a state assemblyman on Main Street.
The man became enraged when the senator told him that he never received a letter that he had mailed to him. He produced a handgun and shot both men, wounding them. He then shot and mortally wounded Chief Dunn, who was standing nearby. Chief Dunn died three days later. The assailant was arrested and charged with Chief Dunn's murder.
The 68-year-old suspect was convicted of Chief Dunn's murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He died two years later.
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.
Chief of Police Dunn gave the Scotland Neck Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Scotland Neck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dunn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Scotland Neck Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1910, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 51. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Charles was 51. 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. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 6.2% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Scotland Neck Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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.
His people
Scotland Neck Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Scotland Neck Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
