Patrolman Ralph East

Ralph East

Patrolman Ralph East and Patrolman Glenn Branscome were shot and killed when they stopped a vehicle on U.S. 52 (current-day W 52 Bypass) near East Surry High School.

Officers in the area were asked to be on the lookout for four men wanted for armed robbery. The suspects had robbed two Forsyth County service stations, one in Winston-Salem, the other in Rural Hall.

Around 11:00 p.m., Patrolman Branscome and Patrolman East spotted the vehicle and pulled them over. As soon as they exited their patrol vehicle, one suspect used a 22 caliber pistol to shoot both officers, then obtained Officer East's service weapon (38 caliber) and shot each officer again. The suspects were arrested in Winston-Salem a short time later.

The gunman was convicted of two counts of murder and received two death sentences on November 21, 1969. His sentence was commuted to two life prison sentences when the Supreme Court ruled all death sentences unconstitutional in 1972. He died in prison on December 14, 2011.

The other three suspects received 10 years each for accessory to murder and an additional 30 to 40 years for armed robbery on November 21, 1969. One of the three was released from prison on July 18, 1985. Another one was released on November 24, 1992, and sent back to prison for 10 years on June 5, 2001, for armed robbery.

Patrolman East had served with Pilot Mountain Police Department for two years and had previously served with the agency before serving with the Surry County Sheriff's Department. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, three sons, and three brothers.