Delma Devon Adams was a 33-year-old Raleigh police officer who was killed on February 2, 1980, during a DUI arrest. Known as Jimmy to friends, Adams had served the Raleigh Police Department for 13 years. After placing a 29-year-old woman in the back of his squad car, he sat in the driver’s seat; the woman produced a concealed handgun and shot him in the back of the head through the patrol car’s cage.

The suspect was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison. Adams left a wife and two sons and is memorialized on the Raleigh Police Memorial. His death prompted attention to officer safety and led the department to implement stricter protocols and training.

If anyone knew Officer Adams, his family, or has information about that night, please share what you know.