Pender County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch Saturday, October 31, 1953
Add to My HeroesJohn Thomas Wells
Sheriff John Wells was shot and killed after responding to reports of a gunfight between two men in Burgaw at 7:30 am.
When he arrived he encountered one of the men holding a shotgun. He ordered the man to drop the weapon three times but the man turned towards him. Sheriff Wells opened fire, wounding the suspect, who fired back and struck Sheriff Wells in the head. The suspect then shot himself in the chest.
Sheriff Wells was a WWI veteran and had served with the Pender County Sheriff's Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.
Bio
- Age 55
- Tour 3 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Shotgun
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsYour heroism and service is honored today, the fifty-sixth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
I pray for solace for those who love and miss you.
Rest In Peace
Phyllis Loya
Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
November 8, 2009
