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John Franklin Fesperman
Incident
Rural Police Officer Fesperman was shot and killed while filling in for another officer who was sick.
Officer Fesperman and other officers were en route to a liquor raid on a home at the Wakefield Farm off of Providence Road. When the officers arrived at the house, they located almost 100 people. As they began to search the people in the crowd, officers found liquor on one of the men, who was then placed into Officer Fesperman's custody.
Moments later, the man shot Officer Fesperman in the head and fled the scene. Officer Fesperman was taken to Presbyterian Hospital, where he died.
The suspect was arrested a short time later by the Charlotte police chief. He was convicted of Officer Fesperman's murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was pardoned on August 18, 1942, by Governor Melville Broughton.
Officer Fesperman had been appointed to the police force on the day he was killed.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Rural Police Officer Fesperman served with the Mecklenburg County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Rural Police Officer Fesperman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mecklenburg County Police Department has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1924, 1 officer at Mecklenburg County Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 2.
In 1924, 5 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 21. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Mecklenburg County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 46.3; the middle age was 38.5. John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 21. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 21. 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. John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 21. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 33.3% of these deaths at Mecklenburg County Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.7%.
February holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Mecklenburg County Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 11.2% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Mecklenburg County Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Mecklenburg County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
