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Incident
Lieutenant Ted Elmore succumbed to wounds sustained on November 11, 1971, when he was shot while making a traffic stop on Highway 64-70, east of the Hickory Motor Speedway, in Conover, shortly before 5:00 a.m.
Unbeknownst to Lieutenant Elmore, he had stopped two members of the radical Black Panthers who had shot and wounded an Atlanta, Georgia, police officer several weeks earlier. As he exited his patrol car, the occupants of the vehicle opened fire, striking him in the right arm, disabling it. As he tried to draw his weapon with his left hand, he was shot again in the abdomen and fell to the ground. The assailants then shot him a third time, hitting him in the back, severing his spinal cord, and causing paralysis.
The suspects abandoned their car and fled into a nearby wooded area. After a massive manhunt, both were apprehended. Their car was found to contain several rifles, three shotguns, a bazooka, and 14,000 rounds of ammunition.
On February 15, 1973, both suspects were convicted of felonious and secret assault. One was sentenced to 23 to 25 years in prison. He was paroled on August 3, 1990. The other suspect was sentenced to 5 years. He was paroled on September 28, 1975.
Lieutenant Elmore remained paralyzed until passing away 11 years later. It was determined that his passing was a direct result of his wounds.
Lieutenant Elmore had served with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Elmore gave the Catawba County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Elmore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Catawba County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Ted is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Ted is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ted 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 1983, 1 officer in NC was killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ted was 51. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Ted had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ted 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. Ted had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ted was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ted had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Catawba County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, 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; .38 caliber, in 1.6% 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; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Catawba County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Ted among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Catawba County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
