Elk Park Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch Thursday, August 5, 1920
Add to My HeroesZeb Winters
Chief of Police Zeb Winters was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public.
The man had come into town and sent word to Chief Winters that he was in town and drunk. Chief Winters arrested him but was attacked while taking him to jail. The man gained control of Chief Winters' .44 caliber revolver and shot him several times before beating him with the pistol.
The subject was arrested and charged with murder. The trial was held in Boone, North Carolina, and he was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years. He escaped prison but was captured in Oregon a couple of years later.
Chief Winters had only served with the Elk Park Police Department for six months. He was survived by his wife, three children, mother, and six brothers. Close to 12 men who were descendants of Chief Winters served in law enforcement in Avery County, North Carolina, and Carter County, Tennessee, in the decades after his murder.
Bio
- Age 48
- Tour 6 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Convicted of murder
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsZeb Winter was my Great Grandfather. His son Woodrow F Winters was my grandfather. His correct name was William Zebede Winters. The man that shot him was Charlie Oaks and was tried and convicted for his murder.
Lea Ann Frank-Kloepping
Great granddaughter of Zeb Winters
May 12, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Jeremy R. Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025

Officer Jason Roscow
North Las Vegas Police Department, NV
EOW: February 4, 2025

Police Officer Philip J. Schifini
Nassau County Police Department, NY
EOW: November 27, 2024

Major Jeffrey A. Burke
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: December 31, 2024

Corporal Dennis Francis Kelly
Delaware State Police, DE
EOW: December 21, 2024

Officer Baldino Morales-Sánchez
Mayagüez Municipal Police Department, PR
EOW: January 25, 2025

Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: January 20, 2025

Sergeant Mark Butler
Navasota Police Department, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025