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Incident
Patrolman Genes was shot and killed with his own service weapon while arresting a man for drunk and disorderly conduct. As Patrolman Gense and two other officers took the man down the stairs the man's foot got stuck between two boards. As the officers attempted to free the man's foot he grabbed Patrolman Genes' service weapon and shot him in the back, killing him instantly. The other officers subdued the suspect and transported him to jail. The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison May 8, 1939. He was paroled on November 27, 1940. On February 15, 1947, he stabbed to death a Fort Bragg soldier in Fayetteville. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 7 to 15 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Genes served with the Fayetteville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Genes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fayetteville Police Department has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Willis is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Willis is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis 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 1939, 1 officer at Fayetteville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1907, with 2.
In 1939, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willis was 46. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Fayetteville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.8 and 46.8; the middle age was 42.5.
Willis was 46. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Willis was 46. 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.
Willis was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 42.9% of these deaths at Fayetteville Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 28.6%.
March holds 6.2% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at Fayetteville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Fayetteville Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Willis among them.
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Owen Lockamy
Mar 2, 1907
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Jefferson A. Chason Mar 3, 1907
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James H. Benton
Feb 22, 1908
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Daniel C. Chason
Oct 22, 1925
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Willis Jackson Genes
Mar 16, 1939
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James Woodard McLaurin
Mar 2, 1951
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Robert William Dahlman Oct 9, 1975
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James Joseph McConkey
Dec 3, 1977
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Roy Gene Turner, Jr.
Nov 30, 2001
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Matthew Eric Dow
Oct 1, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Fayetteville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
