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Incident
Police Officer Terry Lyles was shot and killed by a man he had arrested who had managed to conceal a .22 caliber handgun in his underwear when searched. As Officer Lyles drove the suspect to headquarters, he opened fire, while still handcuffed, from the backseat of the patrol car, striking Officer Lyles in the back of his bullet-proof vest twice. After wrecking into an embankment, the suspect shot Officer Lyles in the head as he fled from his patrol car. The suspect, an ex-convict, 43, who was released from prison in 1984 after serving seven years for manslaughter, was apprehended and sentenced to death. He was later awarded a new trial and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on April 8th, 1994. As of June 9, 2023, he was in prison. Officer Lyles had served in law enforcement for just over 2-1/2 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, two brothers, two sisters, and a stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Police Officer Lyles gave the Charlotte Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lyles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charlotte Police Department has lost 18 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Milus is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Milus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Milus 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 1990, 1 officer at Charlotte Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 2.
In 1990, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1990, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1990, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Milus was 32. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Charlotte Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 44; the middle age was 39. Milus had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Milus was 32. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Milus had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Milus was 32. 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. Milus had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Milus was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Milus had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 7.7% of these deaths at Charlotte Police Department; January holds the most, 15.4%. Mondays: 38.5%.
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.2% of all 18 deaths at Charlotte Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.1% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Charlotte Police Department has 18 officers remembered here, Milus among them.
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James Moran Apr 4, 1892
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James H. Brown Aug 2, 1904
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John Robert Estridge
Mar 29, 1913
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Joseph Eckels Orr Sep 29, 1926
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John North Byers Sep 30, 1926
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Robert M. Reid
Jan 1, 1927
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Harvey Edgar Correll
Jan 22, 1929
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Thomas H. Jenkins
Oct 21, 1929
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Benjamin H. Frye
Jun 9, 1930
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Charles P. Nichols
Apr 17, 1936
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Charlie Herbert Baker
Apr 12, 1941
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Johnny Reed Annas
May 21, 1960
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Edmond N. Cannon
Nov 23, 1981
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Ernest Coleman
Jul 1, 1982
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Timothy Wayne Whittington
Jul 16, 1985
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Robert Louis Smith
Jan 15, 1987
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Milus Terry Lyles
Aug 6, 1990
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Eugene A. Griffin
Nov 22, 1991
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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