Martin County Law Enforcement Memorial, Williamston
This monument honors fallen Martin County law enforcement professionals who were killed in the line of duty. Three law enforcement officers, Guy Thomas Davis, Jr., Jerry Vernon Beach, and Charles Douglas Brown, Jr. were killed between the years of 1975 to 2009, spawning the monument’s erection. The statue was funded by the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina. It is a black and gray granite statue with the title “Martin County Law Enforcement Memorial” written across the top of the monument with a seal below. The bottom half of the monument features the words “Honor” and “Duty” with a brief inscription underneath three small law enforcement badge symbols.
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Front, Top: Martin County / Law Enforcement / Memorial
Front, Bottom: Honor Duty / This memorial is dedicated in love and honor / for those law enforcement professionals who / made the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens / of Martin County. It is not how these officers / died that make them a hero, but how they lived / and gave their all to protect the freedoms / and decency we value as Americans.
Back: MARTIN COUNTY / FALLEN OFFICERS /
PATROLMAN Guy Thomas Davis, Jr. / N.C. HIGHWAY PATROL / 6/30/1926 - 9/2/1975 /
SHERIFF Jerry Vernon Beach / MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE / 9/21/1935 - 10/12/1992 /
LT. Charles Douglas Brown, Jr. / MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE / 4/13/1971 - 12/8/2009
City of Williamston
October 29, 2010
35.856280 , -77.052190
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"July 14, 2010 Minutes," Martin County NC Government, July 14, 2010
"Martin County Holds Ceremony to Honor Fallen Law Enforcement," witn.com, May 16, 2018, (accessed April 22, 2021) Link
WNCT Staff. "Memorial to fallen law enforcement officers dedicated," WNCT (Greenville, NC), October 29, 2010
Yes
Gray granite, Black granite
United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina
Approximately $3,000
Former Attorney General to Eastern District of NC, George Holding, dedicated the monument in the following speech:
Thank you for joining us here today for the dedication of this memorial recognizing the important work and ultimate sacrifice made by three members of the Martin County law enforcement community. I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to pay my respects to the memory of Patrolman Guy Thomas Davis, Jr., North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Sheriff Jerry Vernon Beach, Martin County Sheriff's Office, Lieutenant Charles Douglas Brown, Jr., Martin County Sheriff's Office, and their families, colleagues and friends. These men represented the best that our country and our law enforcement community have to offer. Selflessness, fearlessness and valor characterized each of these officers. These are rare and honorable traits.
Although no memorial, ceremony or salute can ease the pain of your loss, there is something that you must know. The gratitude that I, along with the many law enforcement professionals here today, feel for your loved ones is shared by the entire nation. We are all safer for their sacrifices. And we will always be inspired by their example of service.
Unspeakable tragedy may be what brings us here. But our unending appreciation - for the unsung work of law enforcement - is what binds us and all Americans together. These officers secured our home, our neighborhoods, our state and our nation. The choice of these heroic men to live for their community, state and their country was made with the understanding that they could die for it too. Their choice reminds us of just how brave - and how remarkable - they were. They defined what is best about our country.
It also reminds us of our duty today, and every day. We understand the risk of law enforcement work, but we must also understand the challenge. We must join our nation’s law enforcement community in standing up against crimes large and small. We must help each other in times of need. And above all, we must protect those who make service to others their life’s work. At the United States Department of Justice, there quite simply is no more important priority, than keeping law enforcement officers safe.
Today, I wish I could give you - the families, friends and colleagues of these fallen heros - the peace you seek. But I cannot. I can, however, make you a promise. The work that they loved will continue. Their sacrifice and your loss will be honored by a nation that is strengthened by their example.
And while we can never repay the debt we owe these courageous public servants, we will never forget their stories. And so I dedicate this monument in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
County Manager W. Russell Overman stated that he hoped that the statue would never have to add the name of another fallen soldier but that it would be left up to the municipality to determine criteria for addition.
The monument is located on the lawn in front of the Martin County Government Center, at 305 East Main Street, Williamston, NC. The Veterans Memorial is right on its left.
The monument sits in front of the Martin County Government Center building entrance, near the parking lot.
Statue was proposed in a July 14, 2010 Town Council meeting. Mr. Frank Bradsher of the US Attorney’s Office proposed the monument. Commissioner Bowen made the motion and Vice Chairman Lilley added a second to accept the gift. The motion was unanimously approved.
The Attorney’s office provided the funds, which they estimated to be approximately $3,000.
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