Madison County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch Saturday, July 4, 1931
Add to My HeroesJoseph Baxter Shelton
Deputy Sheriff Joe Shelton was shot and killed in Walnut while he and two other deputies questioned a man they suspected of being drunk in public.
The deputies had asked the man to demonstrate his sobriety by walking, but the man instead pulled out a handgun and opened fire on them. Deputy Shelton was struck in the head and killed instantly. The other two deputies returned fire and killed the subject.
A bystander was also wounded during the shootout.
Deputy Shelton was survived by his wife and seven children.
Bio
- Age 56
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 1 Reflections“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
July 9, 2022
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
Sergeant Kathleen M. Radziunas
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, NY
EOW: April 30, 2025
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


