Patrol Officer Terry Lee Lanier, Jacksonville Police Department, North Carolina

Patrol Officer Terry Lee Lanier

Jacksonville Police Department, North Carolina

End of Watch Friday, May 11, 1979

Terry Lee Lanier

Officer Lanier was stabbed to death while attempting to arrest a mentally disturbed man brandishing a knife. As Officer Lanier approached the suspect from behind he observed the knife and attempted to warn the other officers. However, the suspect immediately turned around and slashed Officer Lanier in the throat, severing his jugular vein. Other officers on the scene opened fire on the suspect, wounding him.

The suspect was found incompetent to stand trial and committed at Dorothea Dix Mental Hospital in Raleigh.

Officer Lanier was survived by his parents. His father also served with the Jacksonville Police Department at the time of his murder.

Bio

Age 24
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
Offender Committed

Most Recent Reflection

View all 14 Reflections

All these years later I still remember what happened to you. Today people are protesting that a man in Georgia only had a knife, that he was having a mental episode, I remember what happened to you. Thank you for your sacrifice and know that you are remembered.

J.P.
Supporter

September 19, 2017