Bio & Incident Details
Age: 24
Tour: Not available
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 4/4/1978
Weapon: Rifle; M-16
Suspect: Case never solved
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Officer James Nunalee was ambushed and killed as he exited a convenience store. He had just signed the log book in the store and was leaving when two masked men opened fire on him, striking him 21 times with a semi-automatic rifle. The two then stole his service revolver and fled.
Although police suspected a particular husband and wife team of the robbery/murder, there was never enough evidence to arrest them. The case remained unsolved for 24 years, until the suspects' son, who was in prison on drug and weapons charges, came forward to tell Wilmington police that his parents were responsible for Officer Nunalee’s murder. That statement, along with other evidence collected over the years, led police to finally close the case. Investigators believe the husband shot Officer Nunalee as his wife stood by, refusing to shoot.
Officer Nunalee was survived by his wife and son.
