Six deputies shot in North Carolina in the last three weeks

Deputy Ned Byrd is the sixth deputy to be shot in North Carolina in the past three weeks. WRAL Data Trackers found there have been 11 incidents in NC this year where an officer was shot and injured or killed, including five in August.

Posted 6:50 p.m. Aug 12, 2022 — Updated 6:50 p.m. Aug 12, 2022

WRAL Staff

RALEIGH, N.C. — A Wake County deputy was found shot to death overnight Thursday along an area of Battle Bridge Road with open fields on either side. Deputy Ned Byrd is the sixth deputy to be shot in North Carolina in the past three weeks.

WRAL Data Trackers found there have been 11 incidents in NC this year where an officer was shot and injured or killed, including five in August. Nationwide, the database shows at least 222 officer deaths or injuries from shootings this year.

Shooter on the loose: Manhunt for suspect who shot, killed Wake Co. deputy enters day 2

Friday's deadly shooting comes just 10 days after a Wayne County deputy was shot and killed in an hours-long standoff. A funeral was held Tuesday for Sgt. Matthew Fishman, a husband and father of two.

'Compassionate soul:' Hundreds of first responders from across NC join procession for Sgt. Matthew Fishman

On July 23, a Sampson County deputy, Caitlin Emanuel, was shot while responding to a stolen vehicle. She is recovering at home.

Sampson County deputy shot after suspect puts her in stranglehold, gun goes off during struggle

On Aug. 1, three Wayne County deputies were shot while serving involuntary commitment papers, including Fishman, who died. The two other deputies are still recovering.

Man in custody, 2 deputies injured after standoff in Sanford

On Aug. 10, a Caswell County deputy was shot multiple times while serving domestic violence papers. He was last reported to be in critical condition.

After 5-hour standoff, barricaded man who shot NC deputy removed in handcuffs

A retired deputy, Sgt. Brad Kirby, spoke to WRAL News on Friday about the alarming frequency of officer deaths. He guessed the shooter was out on bond for committing another crime.

"There’s obviously a mental health issue going on," Kirby said. "In my opinion, I don’t think there’s a lot of accountability anymore. When you’ve got suspects that are out on bond for some other crime and then they’re shooting a cop just a couple weeks after they get out of jail, that’s a problem."

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a website tracking law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, there has been a 14% increase in the number of officers who have died this year from gun violence compared to last year.

Similar to statistics for gun violence instances that do not involve officers, most incidents are reported in warmer months of the year.

Kirby also shared concern over staffing issues and how that could impact safety.

"When it comes to safety, we always believe in safety in numbers," he said. "The climate officers are facing now, they’re getting out of the job altogether. Do you really want to go to work when you’re pretty sure you may not make it home? The risk is too high now."

Gov. Roy Cooper said the state is providing resources to assist in the search for the suspect, saying we must do all we can to support law enforcement officers who risk their lives to keep us safe.

Suggest A Correction