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Incident
Officer Craig Cloninger died after suffering a medical emergency after responding to a structure fire involving a trapped occupant at 295 Northview Road shortly before midnight.
Officers from the Mount Gilead Police Department and fire personnel responded to the scene of the fully engulfed home. Officer Cloninger collapsed while at the scene of the fire and rescue personnel immediately began life-saving efforts. He was transported to FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
Officer Cloninger served as a reserve officer with the Mount Gilead Police Department and as a full-time officer with the Biscoe Police Department. He had 19 years of law enforcement service and had previously served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. He also served with the Ellerbe Rescue Squad.
Officer Cloninger served as a reserve officer with the Mount Gilead Police Department and as a full-time officer with the Biscoe Police Department. He had 19 years of law enforcement service and had previously served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. He also served with the Ellerbe Rescue Squad.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Officer Cloninger gave the Mount Gilead Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Gilead community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Cloninger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Robert is the only officer of Mount Gilead Police Department remembered here.
Robert is one of 33 officers lost to cardiac events in NC, 5% of the 664 remembered there.
Robert is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 1 officer in NC was lost to cardiac events, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1967, with 2.
In 2021, 23 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2021, 23 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Robert was 38. Of the 33 lost to cardiac events in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 53; the middle age was 46. Robert had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Robert was 38. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Robert was 38. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 12.1% of these deaths in NC; January holds the most, 15.2%. Sundays: 18.2%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Mount Gilead Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 5% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Mount Gilead Police Department are honored on badge.nw.