Winston-Salem Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Friday, August 1, 1941
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 3 years, 11 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 1, 1941
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Gurney Royall was shot and killed with his own service weapon after he and his partner responded to a disturbance call at Third Street and Church Street. The suspect was able to gain control of Patrolman Royall's weapon and fired it five times. The last shot struck Patrolman Royall in the head. The suspect was taken into custody by Patrolman Royall's partner and other officers.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death September 11, 1941. His sentence was commuted to life January 28, 1942. On January 1, 1957, his sentence was reduced to 39 years.