Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charlie Shepherd was shot and killed while he was off duty working in his mother's garden. A man walked by and shot him in retaliation for having a confrontation with his son a few days earlier. Deputy Shepherd's killer became the first Alleghanian to receive the death penalty. He was executed in the gas chamber on January 19th, 1940.
Survivors
Deputy Shepherd was survived by his expectant wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpr1txqhmc48yh75bfnq- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charlie. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Shepherd gave the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sparta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Shepherd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alleghany County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charlie is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Charlie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charlie 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 1938, 8 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charlie was 37. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Charlie had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Charlie was 37. 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. Charlie had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charlie was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charlie had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Alleghany County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% 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
Alleghany County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Charlie among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Alleghany County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
