Deputy Sheriff Adam William Klutz, Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

Deputy Sheriff Adam William Klutz

Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

End of Watch Friday, September 19, 2008

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Adam William Klutz

Deputy Adam Klutz was shot and killed while responding to a 911 hangup call on Fox Winkler Road in Lenoir.

When Deputy Klutz arrived at the scene, a man at the home opened fire on him with an AR-15, striking him in the head as he exited his patrol car. A second deputy who arrived moments later was shot in the chest once before he was able to exit his patrol car. The round that struck him was stopped by his vest.

Deputy Klutz was transported to Caldwell Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Five days after the shooting, the suspect's body was found on his property suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Deputy Klutz had served with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office for 1.5 years. He had previously worked at the Caldwell Detention Center for approximately one year and had served three months with the Hickory Police Department. He is survived by his parents.

Bio

Age 25
Tour 1 year, 6 months
Badge 154

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle; AR-15
Offender Committed suicide

911 hangup, ambush

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Most Recent Reflection

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I still think of that night, and to this very day I have my moments of breaking down.

For a long time I felt like I was wrong to make the choice I did that night. I rode with you a week before, and was going to ride with you again that night. I called you around 5:30 that afternoon as you arrived at the Office and told you that I had to cancel due to my wife being sick. We talked briefly and I asked "Got that vest on?" Heard you knocking on it and told you I'd try to catch up with you the next week. My brother, had I known....I should've been there. I still wonder, had I been with you, could I have seen something and warned you.

I remember when you wrestled for ECCW, that's where we met. I remember the great news when I learned you joined the Sheriff's Office, and I knew you were getting ready to move to the K-9 Unit. You had a great future ahead of you.

The morning after, I got the call. My mind would not let me comprehend what I was being told. I kept asking if there were sure it was the Adam I knew. Then I got confirmation and I broke. At your service, I was holding myself together the best I could....until I heard your voice and it all hit me at once.

But I know that you are forever resting in the arms of our Lord, I can only imagine the joy you felt when you made it to our Father, and I know you are watching down from above. I await the time we meet again, my friend. Until then, rest easy brother.

Sergeant D. L. Presnell
Friend

December 8, 2024