North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina
End of Watch Saturday, October 5, 1974
Add to My HeroesLawrence Canipe, Jr.
Patrolman Lawrence Canipe and Sergeant W. Dean Arledge were shot and killed in the basement of the Buncombe County Courthouse.
Sergeant Arledge was assisting Patrolman Canipe to administer a breathalyzer test when the suspect was able to gain control of one of the officers' handguns and shot them both. The suspect was apprehended the next day by a deputy sheriff in Asheville.
The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder on March 28th, 1975, and sentenced to two life terms. He died in prison on September 5th, 1995.
Patrolman Canipe was a U.S Air Force veteran and had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for eight years. He was survived by his parents.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 8 years
- Badge G-449
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 21 ReflectionsUnbelievably, it has been 49 years since that horrible night. I remember listening to a Highway Patrol monitor from several counties away as the dispatch center acknowledged various Highway Patrol units checking on, and en route to Buncombe County. We did not know the tragic gravity of the situation at the time, but as the hours passed, and the volume of units responding, particularly upper command units, increased, we began speculating and fearing it involved serious, if not fatal injury to a Trooper. It wasn't until the next morning our fears were not only confirmed, they were doubled with the news we had lost both you and Sgt. William Dean Arledge. Just reflecting on it tonight brings that same sickening feeling to the pit of my stomach. On this fateful anniversary, know you, your service and your life are still remembered, and appreciated.
NC Officer
October 5, 2023
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