Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Still on patrol with honor ... and our memory.

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2024

In the spirit of 'Honor and Glory Crowning Time' on this 81st, you and your family are remembered.

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2023

Remembering you and your family with our highest esteem on the 80th ...

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2022

Officer Kemp,
On today, the 80th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Thomasville. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 7, 2022

Remembering you and your family on the 79th.

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2021

Seventy-eight years since your passing, may reconciliation for your death now be complete: your son Jimmy having finally crossed the divide between you on August 1, 2020.

Reunited at last.

May you and your family now live in eternal peace.

But never far from our memory.

With our highest esteem for you on the 78th ...

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2020

In memory of a loving father and husband, a loyal and diligent public servant, and a
courageous and brave citizen. May he always be remembered in the minds and hearts of citizens and public servants of Thomasville, and beyond.

James Benjamin
citizen and historian from Michigan, December, 2019

January 1, 2020

With our highest esteem for you and your memory on the 77th ...

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2019

Remembering you on the 76th.

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2018

With love, honor and remembrance on the 75th.

You are not forgotten.

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2017

Remembering you and your family on the 74th.

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2016

I am a retired police officer who was in Mint. Airy to visit with an old partner and friend of mine when I happened to see a young man carrying a case containing dome police patches and badges. As with many law enforcement I am Aldo a collector of police patches and badges so I approached this young man as ed were inside of z Main St. Store to inquirer about yhe possibilyy of trading some patches.
Imagine my surprise not only to learn of this fine officer's murdrt do long ago But Aldo to learn ybzg this wsz one of yhe officers dons and the patches and badges were hus dad's.
We stood and spoke about the case as well ss this book which was just released from publication as he awaited a reporter from a local media to come for an interview. It took me this long yo finally get dome time to read the book but I found that once I had finally started to read it I just could not put the book down all yhe whole praying that somehow tjisd responsible would be held accountable but as we k.ow-- to many years had passed before the town finally hired a chief of police who would to the right and lawfully investigation.
I do hope gust yhe town hes since taken the retired chief up on the request yo renamed yhe road in memory of this fallen officer. May he rest in peace now knowing that those responsible have met with someon at the Pearly Gates who in turn denied them entrance through yhe pearly gates and instead gave a pitch fork and detailed directions to their new living assignments.

Reginald B. Patchell Police Officer spec
East Haddam Ct Police Dept & Stste of Ct investigator

February 2, 2016

Remembering you on the 73rd.

By faith, we know:

"I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well. "

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

December 7, 2015

me and my wife was in mt airy today and met jimmy very nice man he told us the story about his farther with us being from davidson county you could here the pain in his heart when he told us about his dad thomasville pd and davidson county should step up for this even though everyone may be gone the city still needs to do whats right

bobby b

June 22, 2015

While in Mt Airy today I got the privilege to meet Jimmy Kemp. I am a retired police officer and after he told me the story about his father I couldn't wait to get home and read more about the circumstances of his fathers death. You are keeping your fathers memory alive by sharing your story with strangers. It would be nice if the Thomasville PD reopened the case even though it might never be solved. Your father deserves this. Thank you for sharing your story with me and it was a pleasure to meet you.

Retired Sgt Lisa Linker
Concord Police Dept, NC

November 11, 2014

Well said, Chris. Time and God will, or most probably has brought justice to the guilty ones. You have done an outstanding job.

Ruby Joyce Flowers Hughes
Friend and neighbor

June 24, 2014

On behalf of Jim, Billy, myself and any others who remember that day so well, thank you, Chris. This was a very accurate and touching tribute.

Ruby Joyce Flowers Hughes
Friend and neighbor

June 24, 2014

Patrolman George A. Kemp,

Until today, I did not believe I had yet earned the privilege of approaching this memorial with the words I now want to convey, always believing that there was another stone to be turned in the history of your forgotten case. May you now rest in eternal peace, knowing that every possible effort has been expended in explaining the circumstances of your death.

With this privilege also comes the responsibility of apologizing to you for our human failings in not being able to do more. Time, aided by cowardice and politics, were simply your murderers’ greatest accomplices. We, as a society, must share that shame.

So many were affected by your story. In contrast, the once-influential names likely responsible for your murder are hardly remembered. Their graves in City Cemetery lie unadorned, as though those once powerful men never lived. While their wealth and prominence commanded influence and respect in life, such came to vanity in the great equalizer of death.

Yet you are still remembered.

While that is our resolution, our consolation lies in faith.

Your wife, Nell, crossed the divide in 1988, Bill reuniting with you at long-last in 2003. I need not tell you of the honorable vigil of your devoted son, Jimmy. I simply know that you know, at a loss for words that only tears can adequately convey in expressing the pain of a lifetime.

Here, his journey continues, much as that gray noon in December 1942, hurrying home from school after he and Bill learned you were missing. I trust that when his time has come, you will meet him at that hallowed bridge, taking him home at last into those eternal prisms beyond. That journey will finally end in the presence of the Lord, where “there will no longer be any death … mourning, crying or pain; because the former world has passed away.”

This we trust in faith.

While no criminal prosecution will ever occur in atonement for your unresolved murder, it is my and others’ hope that you find a measure of peace knowing this memorial now accurately explains the circumstances of your death and that any future information brought to our attention will be pursued in the interests of justice and your memory.

In remembrance of you and this sacred history, I remain,

Chris Yarbrough
Citizen

June 20, 2014

To the Kemp Family, I believe that the story listed here is correct and unfortunately all individuals involved are now deceased. They may not have answer to man, but they will answer to the Almighty...

Karen Thomas, Citizen of Thomasville

May 19, 2014

I went on the walking tour of Thomasville tonight and heard this story for the first time. I have lived in Thomasville all my life, 38 years, and did not know this part of the history. I am perplexed by this mystery and think it should still be investigated. Definitely needs to be solved!

Mrs. Stacie Womack

October 27, 2013

I am not apolice office, but have several as friends and have taught law and history before retiring in Michigan. My wife and I recently visited Mt. Airy, NC and happened to meet the very gracious "Jimmy" Kemp. He showed us around town, but never mentioned his father to us. In trying to find an address for Mr. Kemp, to send him a thank-you note, we stumbled across information about the unsolved murder of his father's (George Arnold Kemp, 1942) We believe that all cold cases should be resolved for their family, especially those of police officers. Thompsonville, NC should revive and continue the search for the truth behind the murder of Patrolman George Kemp, helping to bring closure for his remaining family.

James E. Benjamin
retired law instructor

September 16, 2013

I agree with Ken Taylor's comments. God knows no mysteries. 1942 was a long time ago, but nontheless, justice has/will be served.

Stan Jefferson
citizen

August 3, 2013

Met James Kemp in My. Airy July 2nd (my 68th birthday) and he related the story of his father. Know a little about as we live in Thomasville. Men of means carry a lot of weight and can get things done that some only dream of. The powerful jaws of these animals can rip to threads a lessor victim. But know this, there is an advocate, JESUS CHRIST. None of those involved will never get by Him. He is the righteous Judge.......

Ken Taylor
a friend

July 3, 2013

Dec 7, 1942 will always be etched in my memory as much as Dec 7, 1941. My closest neighbors and childhood friends were rushed away (I was later told for their safety). Everyone was (and is) in agreement with the above account.

R. Joyce Flowers Hughes
Friend and neighbor

February 15, 2013

I grew up in T'ville. Rumors in the 40's had it that Officer Kemp was killed because he discovered some goin's on involving gambling and women that involved prominent locals, including the bank president. Put down the shaft to make it appear an accident. Old, old tabloid THE GRIT did a big piece on it. There is a new book about it, just published.

Rev. Roger Chance
citizen

October 26, 2011