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Incident
Chief Robert Jones succumbed to a gunshot wound suffered the previous day while attempting to arrest a murder suspect.
Chief Jones and Rural Policeman Mark Page were tracking a suspect who had murdered his wife on the morning of July 10, 1928. Chief Jones was approximately 100 yards in the woods and Officer Page was in the field close by when Chief Jones was ambushed and shot on his right side. Some 100 pellets from the shotgun blasts hit Chief Jones perforating his lung and liver.
After Chief Jones had been shot, the suspect fled across the woods. Officer Page fired, hitting the suspect. Officer Page captured and secured the suspect, then had others take the prisoner to the Rowland jail. The suspect was sentenced to death but was never executed. On September 23, 1928, he died in prison from pellagra.
Officer Page and Mr. Ralph Brake of Rowland transported Chief Jones to a Lumberton hospital and a consulting surgeon was brought in from Fayetteville to help with the case. However, around 4 P.M. on Wednesday July 11, Chief Jones' condition deteriorated and he passed away two hours later.
Chief Jones was survived by his wife and one child.
Survivors
Chief Jones was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Jones served with the Rowland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rowland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Jones.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rowland Police Department has lost 2 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, 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 1928, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 36. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Robert was 36. 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 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Rowland Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Rowland Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rowland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.