Winston-Salem Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Friday, February 23, 2007
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 23, 2007
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 21 years
Sergeant Howard Plouff was fatally shot outside a bar after he responded to a call for help from sheriff's deputies at approximately 2:00 AM.
Four deputies were working off-duty security at the country western bar when a fight broke out during a private party. The fighting moved outside the bar and several shots were fired, one of which struck Sergeant Plouff. He was transported to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center where he succumbed to his wound approximately 21 hours later.
The killer, 22, was apprehended four days later and charged with first degree murder. On March 11, 2010, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison. He is to be released on February 17, 2024.
Sergeant Plouff was a 17-year veteran of the Winston-Salem Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.