Mecklenburg County Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Sunday, October 18, 1970
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 31
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 18, 1970
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Officer Ronnie McGraw was shot and killed as he and other officers raided a gambling house on East Fourth Street at 1:45 am.
He was shot in the chest and back as he led his officers into the home. Over $42,000 in cash, a shotgun, and eight handguns were confiscated in the house, and 17 suspects were arrested.
Only one suspect was charged with Officer McGraw's murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison on May 9, 1971. On August 30, 1972, he was granted a new trial because a judge ruled that the raid was conducted with an invalid search warrant. The suspect was acquitted at his new trial on January 9, 1973.
Officer McGraw was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Mecklenburg County Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.