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Incident
Chief Pleasant Clay Oakes was shot and killed by a man who held a grudge against him. The suspect was angry with the chief for arresting him a few days earlier for public drunkenness.
The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In December of 1914, he escaped from the Caledonia Prison Farm in Halifax County. He went to Sylacauga, Alabama, where under an assumed name he became very prosperous in a lumber business. In November of 1928, he was recaptured in Sylacauga after someone recognized him and reported it to the police. He was returned to North Carolina and ordered to serve the remainder of his sentence.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Oakes served with the Raeford Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Raeford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Oakes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Raeford Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Pleasant is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Pleasant is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Pleasant 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 1912, 1 officer in NC was killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Pleasant was 49. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Pleasant was 49. 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.
Pleasant was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Raeford Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 13.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Raeford Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Pleasant among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Raeford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.