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Incident
Sheriff William McKenzie was shot and killed after receiving reports from a woman that her husband was going to shoot up the town. When Sheriff McKenzie arrived at the residence the man opened fire with a shotgun, striking him at point-blank range. The suspect had recently been released from a mental hospital where he was being treated for shell shock and other effects of wounds he suffered in World War I. He was recommitted but declared sane five years later. On May 7, 1936, he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison.
Survivors
Sheriff McKenzie was survived by his wife and four children and is buried at Chesnut Hill Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina.
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 McKenzie served with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Salisbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McKenzie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rowan County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1931, 7 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 42. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
William was 42. 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.
William was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Rowan County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Rowan County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Rowan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
