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Incident
Deputy Adam Klutz was shot and killed while responding to a 911 hangup call on Fox Winkler Road in Lenoir.
When Deputy Klutz arrived at the scene, a man at the home opened fire on him with an AR-15, striking him in the head as he exited his patrol car. A second deputy who arrived moments later was shot in the chest once before he was able to exit his patrol car. The round that struck him was stopped by his vest.
Deputy Klutz was transported to Caldwell Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Five days after the shooting, the suspect's body was found on his property suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputy Klutz had served with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office for 1.5 years. He had previously worked at the Caldwell Detention Center for approximately one year and had served three months with the Hickory Police Department.
Deputy Klutz had served with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office for 1.5 years. He had previously worked at the Caldwell Detention Center for approximately one year and had served three months with the Hickory Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents.
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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Klutz gave the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lenoir community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Klutz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Caldwell County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Adam is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Adam is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Adam 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 2008, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 2008, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2008, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Adam was 25. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Adam had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Adam was 25. 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. Adam had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Adam was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Adam had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ar-15, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ar-15, in 0.3% 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 rifle; ar-15, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ar-15, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Caldwell County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Adam among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Caldwell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
