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Incident
Sergeant Matthew Fishman was shot and killed while serving involuntary commitment papers on the 2500 block of Arrington Bridge Road in Dudley.
The subject fired at Sergeant Fishman and two other deputies as they arrived at the home at about 10:30 am. The man barricaded himself inside the house until a SWAT team entered at 8:00 pm and found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sergeant Fishman was transported to ECU Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds the next day. The two other deputies were transported to ECU Medical Center and Wayne UNC Hospital in stable condition.
Sergeant Fishman had served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for 12 years and had previously served with the Mount Olive Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and parents.
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.
Sergeant Fishman gave the Wayne County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Goldsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Fishman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wayne County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Matthew is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew 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 2022, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 2022, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2022, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 38. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Matthew had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Matthew was 38. 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. Matthew had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.5% 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 not available, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Wayne County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wayne County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
