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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Frank Dees was shot and killed in a home near Bethel Church by a man he attempted to arrest on a warrant for disturbing the peace. As Deputy Dees was serving the warrant, the suspect drew a pistol from his coat pocket and shot him.
On January 14, 1917, the suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years.
He was survived by his wife, four sons, and three daughters.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, and three daughters.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Dees served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dees.
— 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.
Frank is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank 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 1916, 1 officer at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 2.
In 1916, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 42. 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.
Frank was 42. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Frank was 42. 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.
Frank was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 9.1% of these deaths at Cumberland County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 18.2%. Mondays: 9.1%.
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
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 handgun; pistol, in 18.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 1% 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 handgun; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Frank 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 24-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.
