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Incident
Sheriff Norman Pearson was shot and killed as he and his deputy attempted to arrest a man for illegally transporting liquor. Sheriff Pearson was shot in the stomach several times and died after being transported to a hospital. His deputy was shot in the hand and the suspect was shot and slightly wounded.
The suspect was arrested, tried for murder and sentenced to life. He received a conditional pardon on April 24, 1941.
Sheriff Pearson had served with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office for nearly two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Sheriff Pearson gave the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Mayo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Pearson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lafayette County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Norman is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Norman is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Norman is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Norman was 54. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Norman had served 1.8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Norman was 54. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Norman had served 1.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Norman was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Norman had served 1.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 4.9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Saturdays: 20.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Lafayette County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Norman among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lafayette County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
