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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Alfred Pate was shot and killed as he, the sheriff, and four other deputies raided an illegal still in northern Cumberland County.
As they snuck upon the scene, they were discovered, and the three suspects fled the scene. The deputies destroyed the liquor and confiscated the items. They attempted to put a large copper pot into the backseat of the car, but it was too large, and they were unable to close the back door. Because of this, Deputy Pate rode on the running board as they slowly drove away from the area. Suddenly shots rang out from the woods, fatally wounding Deputy Pate and nearly striking the other deputies.
One suspect was apprehended and sentenced to 30 years of hard labor in state prison. In prison, the suspect showed skill at designing firearms and, after serving 8 of the 30 years, was granted a commutation of his sentence by the governor and released. The suspect went on to briefly work for Remington, Colt, and Winchester. While at Winchester, he designed the short-stroke gas piston used by other Winchester engineers in the development of the U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30 M1. The suspect was committed to a psychiatric hospital as a result of his many years of alcoholism in 1973, where he died in 1975.
Deputy Pate had been in law enforcement for 20 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Pate had been in law enforcement for 20 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Pate gave the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pate.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Alfred is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Alfred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alfred 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 1921, 2 officers at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 7 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Alfred was 63. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 40.5 and 55; the middle age was 42. Alfred had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Alfred was 63. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Alfred had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Alfred was 63. 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. Alfred had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alfred was 63. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alfred had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.1% of these deaths at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 18.2%. Fridays: 36.4%.
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 84.6% of all 13 deaths at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 36.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Alfred among them.
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Frank James Dees
Nov 20, 1916
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Herman Cashwell Butler
May 21, 1920
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William Garrison Moore
May 23, 1920
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Malcon N. Blue
Jan 28, 1921
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Alfred Jackson Pate
Jul 22, 1921
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William C. Callihan
Feb 24, 1923
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Esther LaFayette Lewis
Dec 9, 1950
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Joe Smith, Jr.
Jan 5, 1974
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Ronald Gordon Smith
Sep 14, 1977
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Allen Bernard Lennon
Aug 11, 1992
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David Walter Hathcock
Sep 23, 1997
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Christopher Brian Matthews
Sep 30, 2005
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Oscar Yovani Bolanos-Anavisca, Jr.
Dec 16, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
