John Wells
1953
John Thomas Wells.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Sheriff John Wells was shot and killed after responding to reports of a gunfight between two men in Burgaw at 7:30 am. When Sheriff Wells arrived, he encountered one of the men holding a shotgun. He ordered the man to drop the weapon three times, but the man turned towards him. Sheriff Wells opened fire, wounding the suspect, who fired back and struck Sheriff Wells in the head. The suspect then shot himself in the chest. Sheriff Wells was a World War I veteran and had served with the Pender County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
Service Record
Also Served
Pender County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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