Mecklenburg County Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch Sunday, October 18, 1970
Add to My HeroesRonnie E. McGraw
Officer Ronnie McGraw was shot and killed as he and other officers raided a gambling house on East Fourth Street at 1:45 am.
He was shot in the chest and back as he led his officers into the home. Over $42,000 in cash, a shotgun, and eight handguns were confiscated in the house, and 17 suspects were arrested.
Only one suspect was charged with Officer McGraw's murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison on May 9, 1971. On August 30, 1972, he was granted a new trial because a judge ruled that the raid was conducted with an invalid search warrant. The suspect was acquitted at his new trial on January 9, 1973.
Officer McGraw was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Mecklenburg County Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 3 years
- Badge 31
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Apprehended
Most Recent Reflection
View all 19 ReflectionsRonnie's friends were not all cops or Air Force vets. I knew him as a friend and neighbor from 1955 to 1964. Lots of good memories from our horseback riding, camping out and hunting with our BB guns. I had just returned from Vietnam in September 1970 and visited with Ronnie, Beverly and the new baby--Rhonda. I learned of his death ten days later, and will never forget his saying that his job was every bit as dangerous of my tour as an infantry officer. He was a good friend and the kind of guy you want on your side in case of trouble. RIP, Ronnie.
Roger Soiset
friend and neighbor
January 16, 2023
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