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Incident
Game Warden Joseph Whitaker was shot and killed when his automatic pistol accidentally discharged as he got out of his car to investigate a suspicious vehicle on the North Mills River Road in Henderson County.
He and his brother had been enforcing hunting and searching for people illegally spotlighting deer. They observed a vehicle drive up and down the road adjacent to the house they were staying in and went to investigate it.
Warden Whitaker was survived by his mother and three brothers.
Survivors
Warden Whitaker was survived by his mother and three brothers.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Whitaker served with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Whitaker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has lost 10 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 1 officer at North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1936, 4 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1936, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1936, 97 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 33. Of the 5 lost to accidents at North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 33.
Joseph was 33. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35.
Joseph was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Joseph was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.7%.
November holds 11.2% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Sundays: 11.2%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 10 deaths at North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has 10 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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John W. Hollowell
Aug 30, 1930
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Joseph D. Whitaker
Nov 15, 1936
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William I. Wright, Jr. Oct 31, 1948
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Grover Cleveland Quinn, Jr.
Mar 25, 1949
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Amos Monroe Bordeaux
Apr 10, 1962
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John Oliver Edwards
Aug 3, 1963
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Dewie Henson McCall
Sep 5, 1971
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Troy M. Sigmon
Sep 1, 1978
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Lloyd O'Neil Mayse
Nov 27, 1980
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William Arthur Williamson
Dec 4, 1985
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are honored on badge.nw.
