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Incident
Officer Mills was shot and killed when he surprised two burglars inside of a laundry and dry cleaning business. Two U.S. Marines, ages 19 and 20, were arrested and charged with his murder 10 days later. Both men were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 15, 1952. One was paroled in January of 1970 and the other suspect was paroled in April of 1984.
Survivors
Officer Mills is survived by two children.
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.
Officer Mills served with the Greenville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Mills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Jesse is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Jesse is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jesse 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 1952, 1 officer in NC was killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jesse was 50. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Jesse was 50. 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.
Jesse was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Greenville Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Jesse among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Greenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
