Memorial

Memorial Band Badge
This badge is shown with a "mourning band" around it. The mourning band is worn after the line of duty death of an officer and also during Police Memorial Week each May. It is displayed here to pay tribute to the seven Durham police officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.
Durham Police Department Badge with a mourning band
Officer Tributes
Gill P. Cates
Sergeant Gill P. Cates
On May 28, 1913, Sergeant Cates had gone to arrest Felix Conklin because Conklin had shot and injured his wife. Conklin was sitting on his front porch on Chatham Street when Cates put his hand on Conklin's shoulder. Conklin then raised a .44 caliber pistol from his lap and shot Sergeant Cates without warning. Deputy Sheriff Lonnie C. Morgan, who was with Sergeant Cates, shot Conklin 5 times, killing him where he sat. Sergeant Cates was transported to the hospital, but succumbed to his wounds about 5 minutes after he arrived there. A coroner's jury was convened that very night, and quickly exonerated Deputy Morgan of any liability, ruling the shooting to be justified.
Rowland A. Gill
On June 10, 1933, Officer Gill was shot in the mouth by Jesse Brooks. Officers Jim Boyles and H.E. King, along with Officer Gill, responded to a break-in call at John Ferliner's store on Erwin Road. Officers Boyles and King entered the store and found Brooks inside. As they brought Brooks out of the building, Brooks pulled a gun and shot Officer Gill, who was covering the entrance to the store. Brooks ran off as Officers Boyles and King were shooting at him. Brooks was recaptured the next day, and had 5 bullet wounds in him. He survived the bullet wounds, but was tried, convicted, and executed for the murder of Officer Gill.
Rowland A. Gill
J. Clarence Price
J. Clarence Price
On December 3, 1939, Officer Price died due to injuries from an on-duty motorcycle wreck on West Main Street.
Larry Douglas Bullock
On April 29, 1976, Investigator Larry Bullock was shot and killed by John E. McCombs during a drug raid on Pilot Street. McCombs was convicted of 2nd-degree murder on November 11, 1976. He was sentenced to a maximum term of 60 years in prison. Instead of serving this sentence in full, he was released on parole on December 10, 1992, after only 16 years in prison. McCombs is currently back in prison again due to a trafficking in cocaine conviction in Mecklenburg County.
Larry Douglas Bullock
Gary Eugene Fletcher
Gary Eugene Fletcher
On February 14, 1978, Public Safety Officer Gary Fletcher was hooking a fire hose up to a hydrant (This was called "catching the hydrant"). When the fire truck pulled away, the hose came loose from the hydrant, wrapped around PSO Fletcher's legs, and caused him to be slammed to the ground. He died in the hospital 2 days later.
Corporal Billy T. Gregory
On April 24, 2004, Corporal Billy Gregory suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty. Corporal Gregory was participating in physical training, which was a requirement of his job as a team leader on the Selective Enforcement Team. Corporal Gregory, a 25-year veteran of the Durham Police Department, is survived by a wife and two children.
Corporal Billy T. Gregory
Officer Charles Callemyn
Charles J. Callemyn
On February 17, 2007, Officer Charles Callemyn was fatally injured in a traffic accident as he was responding to assist another officer at a traffic stop on Holloway Street. Officer Callemyn joined the Durham Police Department in 2005 and was a member of 1- B patrol squad. He was employed as a Duke University police officer from 2000 to 2005 before joining the Durham Police Department. Officer Callemyn leaves behind his family, including 2 young sons.