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Incident
Sheriff Porter Collins was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a man who had failed to appear on a drunk driving charge. He allowed the suspect to go back into his home to get more clothing. He returned with a shotgun and shot Sheriff Collins once at close range killing him instantly. The suspect fled into the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. He was captured the next day when officers found him hiding in the attic of a cabin near Lowgap. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on February 1, 1955. He was paroled December 10, 1981.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Collins gave the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sparta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Collins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alleghany County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Porter is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Porter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Porter 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 1954, 1 officer in NC was killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Porter was 63. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Porter had served 3.9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Porter was 63. 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. Porter had served 3.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Porter was 63. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Porter had served 3.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Alleghany County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Alleghany County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Porter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Alleghany County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
