Lieutenant Tonya Doreen Gillikin

Lieutenant Tonya Doreen Gillikin

Enfield Police Department, North Carolina

End of Watch Monday, March 15, 1999

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Tonya Doreen Gillikin

Lieutenant Tonya Gillikin was shot and killed after she and another officer stopped a vehicle that was suspected of being used in a robbery of a convenience store in Scotland Neck earlier in the night.

As the two officers attempted to handcuff the driver, he began to struggle and shot Lieutenant Gillikin in the head. The suspect then ran back to his car and sped away as the other officer was shooting at him. The suspect was identified by his driver's license, which was left at the scene, and he was later arrested with an accomplice.

The gunman, 23, was convicted of first-degree murder on August 11, 2001, and sentenced to life without parole. His accomplice, 18, was sentenced to 6 to 8 years in prison. He was released on January 28, 2006.

Lieutenant Gillikin had served with the Enfield Police Department for three years and was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant. She was the first female law enforcement officer to be murdered in North Carolina.

Bio

  • Age 30
  • Tour 3 years
  • Badge 502

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun
  • Offender Sentenced to life

suspicious vehicle, vehicle stop

Most Recent Reflection

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Lt. Gillikin,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Enfield. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

March 15, 2024

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