Gates County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch Tuesday, May 5, 1925
Add to My HeroesW. Vernon Eason
Deputy Sheriff Vernon Eason was shot and killed at a dance hall by a man he attempted to arrest for a minor offense. The suspect fled into the Great Dismal Swamp, pursued by a posse of more than 600 men. He was apprehended the next day.
A month later the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On March 25, 1926, Governor Angus W. McLean commuted his sentence to life after several doctors convinced him that the suspect was insane. He died at the state mental hospital in Goldsboro September 29, 1928.
Deputy Eason was survived by his father, three brothers, and a sister.
Bio
- Age 24
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsYour heroism and service is honored today, the 84th 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.
Rest In Peace.
Phyllis Loya
Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
May 5, 2009
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Lewis
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 23, 2026

