On Peace Officers Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their courage, commitment, and selflessness will never be forgotten.
Here is a list of Rowan County Sheriff's deputies that gave that ultimate sacrifice.
WILLIAM EDWARD MARSH
Master Deputy William Marsh died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Master Deputy Marsh had served with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office for nine years and had previously served with the Cleveland Police Department for 11 years. Master Deputy Marsh is survived by his wife and child.
End of Watch Sunday, October 10, 2021
RICHARD ALLEN HILLARD
Deputy Hillard was killed when his cruiser struck a tree while in a pursuit. Deputy Hillard was chasing a motorcycle and had just entered a neighboring county. He was on a winding road when his cruiser slid sideways and struck a tree. Deputy Hillard's shift supervisor radioed to him to end the chase, but the crash happened moments earlier. The motorcycle that Deputy Hillard was chasing fled the scene, but turned himself in several days later.
Deputy Hillard had been with the agency for six years, and had been in law enforcement for 21 years.
End of Watch Sunday, October 17, 1999
JOHN LESTER BECK
Deputy Beck suffered a fatal heart attack after struggling with a suspect. Deputy Beck and another deputy were serving a warrant on a man wanted for threatening local citizens. The suspect began verbally and physically assault the officers. They were able to handcuff the suspect and transport him to jail, where Deputy Beck suffered the heart attack. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
End of Watch Thursday, January 27, 1994
RICK BILL BAUGUESS
Deputy Bauguess was struck by a vehicle and killed while on a required training run while attending the North Carolina Justice Academy in Salemburg, North Carolina.
End of Watch Thursday, November 10, 1988
DANNY RAY GRIFFIN
Deputy Griffin was killed in a single car accident while on patrol.
End of Watch Tuesday, June 3, 1986
WILLIAM LOCKE MCKENZIE
Sheriff William McKenzie was shot and killed after receiving reports from a woman that her husband was going to shoot up the town. When Sheriff McKenzie arrived at the residence the man opened fire with a shotgun, striking him at point-blank range.
The suspect had recently been released from a mental hospital where he was being treated for shell shock and other effects of wounds he suffered in World War I. He was recommitted but declared sane five years later. On May 7, 1936, he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison.
End of Watch Thursday, July 16, 1931
LINZY J. YARBROUGH
Deputy Yarbrough succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while attempting to arrest a man wanted for a shooting in Charlotte. Deputy Yarbrough had located the man and was attempting to identify him when the man suddenly pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking him in the neck.
Deputy Yarbrough was transported to a hospital in Salisbury, where he died the following day.
The suspect was apprehended, tried, and convicted of Deputy Yarbrough's murder. He was executed in the electric chair on February 17, 1928.
End of Watch Friday, June 3, 1927
HENRY C. OWEN
Deputy Henry Owen was shot and killed near Cleveland by a man he was attempting to arrest for disturbing the peace. When the suspect was captured a short time later it was discovered that he was wanted for shooting and wounding another Rowan County deputy in 1891.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and hanged on July 25, 1895. This was the last public hanging in Rowan County. More than 15,000 people attended.
End of Watch Wednesday, February 20, 1895