Deputy Sheriff Alfred Jackson Pate
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
North Carolina
End of Watch: Friday, July 22, 1921

Biographical Info
Age: 63
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, July 22, 1921
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Pardoned after 8 years

Deputy Pate was shot and killed after he, the Sheriff, and four other deputies raided an illegal still in northern Cumberland County. As they snuck upon the scene they were discovered and the three suspects fled the scene. The deputies destroyed the liquor and confiscated the items. They attempted to put a large copper pot into the backseat of the car but it was too large and they were unable to close the back door. Because of this Deputy Pate rode on the running board as they slowly drove away from the area. Suddenly shots rang out from the woods, fatally wounding Deputy Pate and nearly striking the other deputies.

One suspect was later apprehended and sent to prison. In prison, the suspect invented the M-1 Carbine rifle. He was pardoned in 1929 and died in 1975.

Deputy Pate had been in law enforcement for 20 years and was survived by his wife.