Sheriff Charles Griffin Middleton

Charles Griffin Middleton

Sheriff Middleton died from a gunshot wound. Sheriff Middleton along with several other law enforcement officers were trying to locate a suspect in the Canada community for assaulting a woman. He had eluded arrest by hiding out in the heavily wooded area in the Canada community. Several of the suspect's friends that were with him in the woods were arrested and gave information about threatening statements he made about Sheriff Middleton. After receiving information about a more precise location, Sheriff Middleton, and a patrolman were walking a trail in the woods when Sheriff Middleton was gunned down by a shotgun blast that struck him in the chest and neck. The patrolman only saw two figures run into the woods. A manhunt ensued with help from multiple law enforcement agencies. The suspect was captured the next day near Tennessee Gap.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 26, 1953. He was paroled on January 12, 1978. He died December 16, 1994.

Five days after the shooting the Jackson County Board of Commissioners appointed Sheriff Middleton's wife to serve out the remaining 17 months of his term. On October 1, 1948, Sheriff Middleton shot and killed a prison escapee who was responsible for the death of Iredell County Sheriff Godfrey C. Kimball on August 17, 1934.