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Incident
Police Chief Bernice Cameron was shot in the face with a shotgun as he sat in his car. He was killed instantly. Chief Cameron was ambushed and fired upon by three guns including the fatal shotgun blast, a handgun, and a pistol when he and another officer went to investigate a reported disturbance on a darkened street at 1:30 a.m. Eight suspects fled the scene. Six were arrested within a few days in Carthage. The other two were arrested in Sabine, West Virginia a month later. Three of the suspects were sentenced to life in prison. One was paroled on March 13, 1979. The other five received sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years. Chief Cameron had served with the Carthage Police Department for only 4 months. He had previously served in law enforcement for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
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.
Chief of Police Cameron gave the Carthage Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carthage community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Cameron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bernice is the only officer of Carthage Police Department remembered here.
Bernice is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Bernice is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bernice is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bernice was 47. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Bernice had served 9.3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Bernice was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Bernice had served 9.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bernice was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bernice had served 9.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 6.2% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Carthage Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 13.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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