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Incident
Deputy Bobby Cox suffered a fatal heart attack while conducting firearms training at the department's range.
Deputy Cox had served with the Burke County Sheriff's Department for 31 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-7XXD-14WZ-Searlier record number BO-US-NC-5D54AD0C- Stewardship
- 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
31 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Cox gave the Burke County Sheriff's Office 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Morganton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Burke County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Bobby is one of 33 officers lost to cardiac events in NC, 5% of the 664 remembered there.
Bobby is one of 1,304 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Bobby is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 2 officers in NC were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2005, 21 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2005, 21 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Bobby was 66. Of the 33 lost to cardiac events in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 53; the middle age was 46. Bobby had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Bobby was 66. Of the 1,246 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Bobby had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Bobby was 66. Of the 1,248 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Bobby had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 12.1% of these deaths in NC; January holds the most, 15.2%. Wednesdays: 12.1%.
September holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Burke County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Burke County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Bobby among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Burke County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
