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Incident
Chief of Police Orville Aderholt was shot and killed during the Loray Mill Strike in Gastonia, North Carolina. Seven men from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts had come to the town to agitate the strikers at the mill. The seven men were convicted of second-degree murder in connection with Chief Aderholt's death. Four of them were sentenced to 20 years in prison. Chief Aderholt had served with the Gastonia Police Department for at least 13 years. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and three sons. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Gastonia, North Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Aderholt gave the Gastonia Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gastonia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Aderholt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gastonia Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Orville is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Orville is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Orville 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 1929, 12 officers in NC were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Orville was 54. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Orville had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Orville was 54. 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. Orville had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Orville was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Orville had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9.9% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Gastonia Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Gastonia Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Orville among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Gastonia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
