Prev
Incident
Deputy Wilson succumbed to gunshot wounds received almost one month earlier when he and other deputies raided a still in a rural section of Burke County. The suspect opened fire on the officers with a handgun, striking Deputy Wilson in the stomach. The suspect was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison but was paroled in 1938.
Survivors
Deputy Wilson was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpv0zr3axd780h5yket4- 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 Elmore. 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 Wilson served with the Burke County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Morganton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Burke County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Elmore is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Elmore is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elmore is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 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
Elmore was 49. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Elmore was 49. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Elmore was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Burke County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Burke County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Elmore among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Burke County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
