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 11 ReflectionsRest in peace Mr Robertson
Carson loveless
February 6, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Sergeant Alton Dale Berrian
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Antonio Aleman
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: July 8, 2025

Officer Miguel Cano
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: July 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Devin Mason
Darlington County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: July 1, 2025

Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: June 30, 2025

Police Officer Kelvin Patrick
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: February 6, 2025

Supervisory Special Agent Dennis M. Wagner, Jr.
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US
EOW: March 5, 2025

Police Officer Kendall Isaiah Corder
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: June 29, 2025

Undersheriff Brandon Gaede
Phillips County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: June 27, 2025