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Incident
Detective Gill was shot and killed while he and several other officers investigated a burglary call at a local store. When they arrived they were met with gunfire and Detective Gill was struck in the mouth twice and once in the chest. The suspect was also shot and wounded. He was taken into custody, convicted of Detective Gill's murder, and executed.
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.
Detective Gill served with the Durham Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Durham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Gill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Durham Police Department has lost 7 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Roland is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Roland is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roland is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roland was 33. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Roland was 33. 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.
Roland was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 9.9% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 7 deaths at Durham Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Durham Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Roland among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Durham Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
