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Incident
Marshal Atkinson was shot and killed by the brother of a man he was attempting to arrest.
Despite being wounded, Marshal Atkinson was able to get up and again tried to subdue the suspect when the brother shot him in the chest, killing him. Both subjects then fled the scene.
The man he was originally attempting to arrest was captured in Portsmouth, Virginia, approximately three weeks later. A man thought to be the shooter was arrested in Concord, North Carolina, one month after the incident, but it was not him and he was released. Two weeks later a suspect was apprehended in Scotland Neck and released. In 1903 it was reported he was in the Virginia Penitentiary but it was not him. He was never apprehended.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Atkinson served with the Red Springs Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Red Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Thomas is the only officer of Red Springs Police Department remembered here.
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, 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 1899, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1899, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1899, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th 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%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Red Springs Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
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