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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Onus Hall was shot and mortally wounded after responding to a disturbance call at 9:00 p.m. on Fayetteville Road in Durham. Deputy Hall and two other officers were called to the home after a subject threatened his family with a gun. When Deputy Hall stepped out of his vehicle, the subject, who was hiding in the bushes, fired at the officers, striking Deputy Hall. A state trooper returned fire, killing the subject. Deputy Hall was transferred to Watt's Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds two days later. Deputy Hall had served with the Durham County Sheriff's Office for nine years. He was hired as a deputy after his brother, Deputy Willie Hall, was shot and killed on October 18, 1929, while searching for illegal whiskey about a mile from the location where Deputy Onus Hall was shot.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Hall gave the Durham County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Durham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Durham County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Onus is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Onus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Onus 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 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 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Onus was 54. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Onus had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Onus was 54. 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. Onus had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Onus was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Onus had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Durham County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% 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 County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Onus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Durham County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
