North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina
End of Watch: Monday, December 29, 1947
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 4 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 28, 1947
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.30
Suspect Info: Served 17 years
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 four months. He was survived by his parents.