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Episode 10: The Worst Day

Sheriff Jerry Beach is shot and killed while responding to a bank robbery in Martin County, just days after arranging to meet with Larry Howell to discuss his son’s case. Eyewitnesses to Jerry’s murder and a violent hostage situation that ensued afterwards recall what they remember about that day. Delia learns that the NCSBI played a major role in the investigation, but has kept its files about the matter under lock and key for three decades. Inconsistent details raise alarming questions about what really happened and Delia begins to dig further.

Episode Photos

    • Episode Source Material

    • The News and Observer: Pistol Permits. By staff. Published October 10, 1991. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The Charlotte Observer: Gunman Holding 2 in Tense Siege at Bank. By Foon Rhee. Published October 13, 1992. Accessed November 23rd, 2022 via Newspaper.com
    • The Charlotte Observer: Sheriff slain by man holding 2 in tense siege at Bank. By Foon Rhee. Published October 13, 1992. Accessed November 23rd, 2022 via Newspaper.com
    • Rocky Mount Telegram: Shootout Leaves hostage dead following standoff with police. By Associated Press. Published October 13, 1992. Accessed November 234rd, 2022 via Newspaper.com
    • UPI News: Standoff ends, two dead, two injured. Published October 13, 1992. Accessed December 5, 2022 via UPI
    • The News and Observer: Woman Dies in shootout at bank. By Jerry Allegood, Steve Riley and Fred Hartman. Published October 14, 1992 via Newspaper.com, Page 2, Page 3
    • The Associated Press via Ashville Citizen Times: Bank heist standoff ends in two deaths. By Asheville Citizen-Times staff. Published October 14, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The Herald-Sun: Hostage’s death probed. By Estes Thompson. Published October 14, 1991. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com, Page 2
    • The Charlotte Observer: Hostage’s death in siege examined. By Estes Thompson. Published October 14, 1991. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com, Page 2, Page 3 – hard copy only. No direct link.
    • The Weekly Herald: Gunfire Volley Ends Town’s Captivity. By Connie Rhem. Published October 14, 1992. Accessed March 16, 2023. No direct link. Hard copy only.
    • The Charlotte Observer: Slain sheriff mourned Beach praised as trusting man. By Associated Press. Published October 15, 1992. Accessed November 23, 2022 via Newspaper.com, Page 2
    • The Herald Sun: Hundreds Mourn Slain Sheriff at funeral in Williamston. Oak City Chief had skipped habitual stakeout. By Associated Press. Published October 15, 1992. Accessed November 23, 2022 via Newspaper.com
    • The Daily Tar Heel: Martin Sheriff killed after hostage standoff. By staff. Published October 15, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The Charlotte Observer: Hundreds mourn slain sheriff. By Associated Press. Published October 15, 1992. Accessed November 23, 2022 via Newspaper.com
    • The News and Observer: FBI to look into death of hostage…and Sheriff mourned, praised. By Julie Powers Rives. Published October 15, 1992. Accessed November 23rd, 2022 via Newspaper.com, Page 2
    • The Weekly Herald: Ayers to replace Beach. By Al Critcher. Published October 1992. Accessed March 16th, 2023. No direct link. Hard copy only.
    • The Weekly Herald: Gov. Martin Calls Wiggins Heroes. By Al Critcher. Published October 1992. Accessed March 16th, 2023. No direct link. Hard copy only.
    • The Associated Press: NAACP president calls for civilian review in hostage shooting. By The Herald Sun staff. Published October 16, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The Charlotte Observer: NAACP seeks review of fatal hostage shooting. By staff. Published October 16, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The Associated Press via The Charlotte Observer. Civilian probe of hostage shooting sought. By Estes Thompson. Published October 16, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The Associated Press: SBI agents mistook hostage for suspect, shot her, chief says. By Charlotte Observer staff. Published October 17, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The Charlotte Observer: SBI Agents shot hostage director says. By staff. Published October 17, 1992. Accessed January 20, 1993 via Newspaper.com
    • The News and Observer: Agents shot hostage at bank. By Jerry Allegood. Published October 17, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com, Page 2
    • Asheville Citizen-Times: SBI Admits fatally wounding bank hostage. By Associated Press. Published October 17, 1992. Accessed November 23rd, 2022 via Newspaper.com
    • The Associated Press: Hostage shot by SBI agents. By Rocky Mount Telegram staff. Published October 17, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The News and Observer: Bank Shootings shatter Oak City. By Martha Quillen. Published October 18, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • The News and Observer: Black leaders seek answers on shooting. By Grant Parsons. Published October 19, 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com, Page 2
    • The Weekly Herald: Sheriff Found fulfillment in job, family, friends. By Connie Rhem. Published October 21, 1992. Accessed March 16th, 2023. No direct link. Hard copy only.
    • The Herald-Sun: Oak City’s tragedy. Letter to the Editor from Panni von Schorweide. Published October 25. 1992. Accessed January 20, 2023 via Newspaper.com
    • Eastern North Carolina Living Magazine: Sheriff Jerry Beach Bridge, Much More Than a Badge. By Sarah Hodges Stalls. No direct link, hard copy only.
    • The Weekly Herald: County Reeling From Sheriff’s Murder. By Al Critcher. October 1992. Accessed March 16th, 2023. No direct link, hard copy only.

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