Deputy Sheriff Calvin Donald Cherry, 25, was shot and killed on August 2, 1979, while searching a home in Lewiston, North Carolina, for an inmate who had escaped from the Bertie County Jail the day before. Officers had information the escapee was hiding in one of three locations in a public housing complex. After checking one location around 5:30 pm and preparing to leave, Deputy Cherry took one more look and was shot in the chest by the escapee, who was concealed in the shower.

A 23-year-old man was arrested about 50 yards from the house after an all-night search and was later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on February 5, 1980; the convict was denied parole in 2014. Deputy Cherry had served five years with the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office and was survived by his expectant wife and two stepdaughters.

Does anyone have memories of Deputy Cherry or information about his service that could add to the record?