Avery County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch Monday, May 16, 1949
Add to My HeroesMax Daniels
Chief Deputy Daniels succumbed to wounds received two days earlier after being dragged and thrown from a car while investigating possible transportation of illegal moonshine near the Plumtree community. Chief Deputy Daniels, who was not in uniform at the time, noticed the speeding vehicle and, because he had two prisoners in the back of this police car, borrowed a pickup truck from a friend. He was able to catch the speeding vehicle and stop it.
As Chief Deputy Daniels stepped onto the running board of a suspicious car the driver grabbed him and held him in the window as he sped away. As the driver surpassed 50 mph he pushed Chief Deputy Daniels from the car and his body struck a tree, causing fatal injuries. The suspect was brought to trial in connection with Deputy Daniels' death but the trial ended with a deadlocked jury. The man was not retried for the incident.
At the time his death, Chief Deputy Daniels had just returned to duty after recovering from a previous incident under almost identical circumstances.
Chief Deputy Daniels had served with the agency for 9 years and was survived by his wife and children.
Bio
- Age 45
- Tour 9 years
- Badge 101
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Incident Date Saturday, May 14, 1949
- Weapon Automobile
- Offender Case resulted in mistrial
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsTonight I was reading a journal of my grandmother's that stated the story above of my great great grandfather Max. Reading these reflections are such a tribute to Max. It is indeed a travesty, however, what a wonderful man he must of been to make such sacrifices. I intend to tell my children of the man he was and the impact he had on the world; Max will not be forgotten.
Rest In Peace
Brooke Trice
Great great granddaughter
March 22, 2020
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