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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Cone was killed when his patrol car was hit head-on by a drunk driver on Highway 64 Alternate, one mile west of Tarboro.
Another officer ahead of him and a nurse behind him was also struck by the drunk driver. The other deputy was not injured. The nurse suffered severe facial cuts from a wheel on the truck that went through her windshield.
The 46-year-old man was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison on August 15th, 1990. He died in prison on July 26th, 1996.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cone served with the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tarboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cone.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1990, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1990, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1990, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 32. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Thomas was 32. 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.
Thomas was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 6.5% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.5% 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 not available, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
