North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina
End of Watch Monday, December 29, 1947
Add to My HeroesThomas B. Whatley
Patrolman Thomas Whatley succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous evening while he and the Graham County Sheriff attempted to serve a restraining order at a home near Robbinsville.
As the officers stepped onto the front porch the suspect opened fire with a rifle, striking Patrolman Whatley in the abdomen. Patrolman Whatley was taken to District Hospital in Andrews, North Carolina, where he succumbed to his wound.
The killer was apprehended a short time later and convicted of Patrolman Whatley's murder. He was released after serving 17 years.
Patrolman Whatley was a WWII veteran and had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for four months. He was survived by his parents.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 4 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Sunday, December 28, 1947
- Weapon Rifle; .30-.30
- Offender Served 17 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsPatrolman Whatley rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 20, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths

Border Patrol Agent Daniel Salazar
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: May 17, 2022

Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Wayne Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 16, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Walter Donald Jenkins, Jr.
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022