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Incident
Officer Pearce attempted to arrest a man and two other men interfered. One of the men pried a floorboard loose and struck Officer Pearce across the back of the head. Officer Pearce collapsed and died the following evening, never having regained consciousness. The suspect who wielded the plank was found guilty and executed by hanging. The other two suspects were found guilty of manslaughter and received 10 years each in jail.
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Pearce served with the Monroe Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Monroe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Monroe Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1888, 1 officer in NC was killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1888, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 25. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
John was 25. 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.
John was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Sundays: 13.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Monroe Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
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