Patrolman Thomas B. Whatley

Thomas 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.