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Incident
Captain Jerry Best was struck and killed by a vehicle while removing a deer carcass from NC 581 a half mile north of Cherry Hospital.
The deer had been struck by a vehicle and was dying when Captain Best passed by. He put the deer out of its misery and was attempting to move it from the roadway when he was struck and killed by a passing car.
Captain Best had been employed with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for 25 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Best gave the Wayne County Sheriff's Office 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Goldsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Best.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wayne County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Jerry is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Jerry is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jerry is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 6 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2002, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Jerry was 48. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Jerry had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Jerry was 48. 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. Jerry had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jerry was 48. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Jerry had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.2% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Wednesdays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Wayne County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Jerry among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wayne County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
