North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina
End of Watch Sunday, November 15, 1936
Add to My HeroesJoseph D. Whitaker
Game Warden Joseph Whitaker was shot and killed when his automatic pistol accidentally discharged as he got out of his car to investigate a suspicious vehicle on the North Mills River Road in Henderson County.
He and his brother had been enforcing hunting and searching for people illegally spotlighting deer. They observed a vehicle drive up and down the road adjacent to the house they were staying in and went to investigate it.
Warden Whitaker was survived by his mother and three brothers.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
- Weapon Not available
- Offender Not available
Most Recent Reflection
View all 3 ReflectionsRest In Peace Brother. You are remembered and honored on the 81st anniversary of your E.O.W.
Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA
November 15, 2017
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Tim Jordan
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: January 21, 2026
Agent Aníbal Morales Aponte
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: January 13, 2026
Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2025
Sergeant Frederick W. Scheidt, Jr.
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 13, 2025
Trooper Mark A. Ondus
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 19, 2025
Police Officer Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2026
Master Police Officer Donald Richard Gotthardt, Jr.
Fairfax County Police Department, VA
EOW: October 16, 2025
Police Officer Terry L. Bennett
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: January 7, 2026
Police Officer Stephen LaPorta
Uxbridge Police Department, MA
EOW: January 7, 2026


