Bio & Incident Details
Age: 26
Tour: 2 years
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 12/28/1947
Weapon: Rifle; .30-.30
Suspect: Served 17 years
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Patrolman Thomas Whatley succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous evening while he and the Graham County Sheriff attempted to serve a restraining order at a home near Robbinsville.
As the officers stepped onto the front porch the suspect opened fire with a rifle, striking Patrolman Whatley in the abdomen. Patrolman Whatley was taken to District Hospital in Andrews, North Carolina, where he succumbed to his wound.
The killer was apprehended a short time later and convicted of Patrolman Whatley's murder. He was released after serving 17 years.
Patrolman Whatley was a WWII veteran and had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 2 years. He was survived by his parents.
