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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Cloaninger was shot and killed near Mayhew as he and two Mooresville policemen attempted to serve a warrant on a man for assault with a deadly weapon.
The suspect resisted arrest, produced a pistol and opened fire. Deputy Cloaninger returned fire, seriously wounding the suspect. As the officers were examining his wounds his brother arrived on the scene and attacked Deputy Cloaninger. As Deputy Cloaninger repelled his attacker, another brother came up and shot him twice in the back. Both brothers fled from the scene and escaped.
The suspect who shot Deputy Cloaninger was apprehended the next day near Davidson. He was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair September 20, 1920. The suspect who Deputy Cloaninger shot was sentenced to 30 years in prison. On March 28, 1921, he escaped from the state penitentiary and was never recaptured. The third suspect was apprehended in Welsh, West Virginia, March 29, 1923. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison May 27, 1923.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cloaninger served with the Iredell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Statesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cloaninger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Iredell County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1919, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 34. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Robert was 34. 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.
Robert was 34. 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%. Sundays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Iredell County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 50% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Iredell County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Iredell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
