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Incident
Deputy Dewey Swain was shot and killed when he and another deputy attempted to serve mental commitment papers on a man in the Colerain community of the county. Deputy Swain was struck by a shotgun blast that came from inside the house as he exited his patrol car at the residence. Over 50 officers responded to the location from Bertie and neighboring counties. The suspect was forced from the home with tear gas and taken into custody. The suspect was convicted of Deputy Swain's murder and sentenced to prison on November 15, 1972. He died in prison on October 24, 1973.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Swain served with the Bertie County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Windsor community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Swain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bertie County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Dewey is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Dewey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dewey 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 1968, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Bertie County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% 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
Bertie County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Dewey among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bertie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
