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Incident
Sergeant Ronald Yeazel was shot and killed from ambush while eating his meal in his patrol car.
His 41-year-old wife was later arrested, convicted of second degree murder, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. She was paroled on May 23, 2002.
Sergeant Yeazel had served with the Hope Mills Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two children, parents, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Sergeant Yeazel gave the Hope Mills Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hope Mills community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Yeazel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hope Mills Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Ronald is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronald 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 1994, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ronald was 42. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Ronald had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ronald was 42. 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. Ronald had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Hope Mills Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Hope Mills Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ronald among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hope Mills Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
