Chief of Police George Lee Lashley

George Lee Lashley

Chief Lashley was shot and killed while he and another city employee were checking the city's sewage treatment facility in the woods just outside the city limits on NC Highway 61. While at the facility Chief Lashley observed a car parked nearby that contained four subjects. As he questioned the subjects, two men and two women, he noticed a sawed-off shotgun inside the car. He then told the men to get out of the car and began searching the vehicle. One of the suspects produced a .25 caliber handgun and opened fire, fatally wounding the chief. The suspect fled the scene on foot and was apprehended by other officers a short time later. It was later discovered that the car was stolen.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on November 1, 1973. He died in prison March 9, 2013.

Chief Lashley had been with the agency for only two months but had been in law enforcement for ten years. He had previously served as an officer with the Lexington Police Department and as chief of the Troy Police Department. He was survived by his wife and three children.