Charlotte Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Thursday, September 30, 1926
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 2 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: September 28, 1926
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Detective John Byers and Chief of Detective Joseph Orr died as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in China Grove, North Carolina.
The detectives, along with seven other Charlotte police officers, were participating in a state-wide police training exercise. They were driving from Charlotte to High Point responding to a mock riot when the accident occurred.
Chief Orr succumbed to his injuries the day after the crash. Detective Byers passed away two days after the crash.
Detective Byers had served with the agency for 2 1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.