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Incident
Police Officer Denise Holden was killed in an accident while responding to an officer needs assistance call at about 3:00 am. Her vehicle left the roadway at the intersection of Hillsborough Street and Morgan Street and struck a telephone pole. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the accident while rescue crews attempted to extricate her. Officer Holden had served with the Raleigh Police Department for seven months.
Survivors
She was survived by her parents and sister.
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 Holden served with the Raleigh Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Holden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Raleigh Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Denise is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Denise is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Denise is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 1 officer at Raleigh Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 3.
In 1995, 4 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1995, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1995, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Denise was 24. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Raleigh Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 27; the middle age was 24. Denise had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Denise was 24. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Denise had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Denise was 24. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Denise had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Denise was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Denise had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Raleigh Police Department; December holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 20%.
August holds 6.3% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Fridays: 13.2%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Raleigh Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Raleigh Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Denise among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Raleigh Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
