Deputy Sheriff Esther Lafayette Lewis

Esther Lafayette Lewis

Deputy Lewis was shot and killed at approximately 1815 hours as he attempted to take a man into custody for shooting his estranged wife's dog. As he was arresting the suspect, the man drew a concealed handgun and shot Deputy Lewis four times and then fled the scene.

The suspect was arrested, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life on January 19, 1951. He was sent to the Dorothea Dix Mental Hospital in Raleigh where he escaped a few days later. He was recaptured in Seattle, Washington, by FBI agents on December 23, 1955. He was paroled February 8, 1982.

Deputy Lewis was survived by his wife and child.