Roanoke Rapids Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Monday, May 9, 1977
Age: 64
Tour of Duty: 21 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 9, 1977
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Lieutenant Willard Vaughan was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm at a convenience store.
Lieutenant Vaughan and another officer, and a deputy sheriff responded to the silent alarm at a convenience store. He drove past the scene and met with the deputy down the road. Lieutenant Vaughan and the deputy started driving back toward the crime scene with Lieutenant Vaughan's police vehicle in front. The deputy slowed down to look down a dirt road when he saw the brake lights of Lieutenant Vaughan's police vehicle come on. Lieutenant Vaughan exited his vehicle, and the deputy stated that he saw a tremendous amount of gunfire.
One of the two suspects ran in front of Lieutenant Vaughan's vehicle and opened fire at close range. Lieutenant Vaughan was hit four times and the suspect one time. The deputy pulled up, and the suspect shot at the deputy, hitting his vehicle. The deputy then shot and hit the suspect a second time.
The two subjects were arrested at the scene. A third suspect was arrested hours later in Emporia, Virginia. Lieutenant Vaughan's killer, 18, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 19, 1977. He was still in prison on June 15, 2023.
Lieutenant Vaughan had served with the Roanoke Rapids Police Department for 21 years and was planning to retire in three months. He was survived by his wife and son.