Alamance County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch Wednesday, December 7, 1938
Add to My HeroesMercellus P. Robertson
Sheriff Mercellus Robertson and Patrolman Sonny Vaughn, of the Burlington Police Department, were shot and killed by two escaped convicts while responding to a burglary-in-progress at a service station at the corner of North Church Street and Trade Street.
Both were met with gunshots from the darkness as they entered the station. A third officer returned fire through a window killing one of the convicts as they tried to escape through a back door. The other convict escaped.
Both convicts had escaped from an Anson County Prison Camp on October 22, 1938.
Sheriff Robertson was killed on his second day in office. He had previously served with the Burlington Police Department for eight years.
Bio
- Age 45
- Tour 2 days
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 10 ReflectionsRest in peace Sheriff Robertson. Two days as sheriff and saluted forevermore as a hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 5, 2020
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