Robbinsville – Almost 78 years after a member of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was killed in the line of duty, he has received a localized memorial that will remind daily commuters of his sacrifice.
A joint dedication ceremony hosted by both the highway patrol and the Department of Transportation at the Graham County Community Building on Monday revealed that the crossing at the Cheoah River on Old U.S. 129 will now be known as "Patrolman Thomas B. Whatley Bridge."
Whatley's nieces Terry Peacock, Gwen Kinard and Pamela Puglisi each delivered remarks during the ceremony, memorializing the uncle they never got to meet.
"My grandparents never recovered from losing their oldest son, but I know they would be so honored that this happened. All of us are," Peacock said, after each had offered insight into Thomas' life.
N.C. State Highway Patrol Command Staff Maj. William P. Moore, III reminded Thomas' nieces that his name is read out yearly, as part of an annual memorial to troopers who have been killed in the line of duty.
He also highlighted the collaboration between the highway patrol and the Department of Transportation, noting that the initiative began during Spring 2024 and – upon its completion at the end of this year – will honor 23 fallen troopers across North Carolina.
Ten members of the highway patrol were also on-hand for the dedication. Moore channeled the tragedy of Whatley's passing as he addressed the officers in his closing remarks.
"Patrolman Whatley will forever hold a place in our memory," said Moore. "This bridge that bears his name will also serve as an important outward display of our appreciation and gratitude of his service to our state.
"I hope that the members of this specific unit – and others, as they pass through – will be reminded of his sacrifice, and the sacrifices of all law-enforcement officers that serve in our communities."
Life of service
Born Sept. 13, 1922, Thomas Benjamin Whatley was the oldest of three boys. Peacock, Kinard and Puglisi are the daughters of Thomas' youngest brother Bill, who was nine when Thomas was killed.
A native of Elkin, Thomas fell in love with aeronautics and split time pursuing a degree in the field at North Carolina State University by serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He later changed his major to electrical engineering at N.C. State. Thomas went on to become a trooper and – after graduating from highway patrol school in Chapel Hill – underwent additional training in Murphy.
According to a Jan. 1, 1948 article in the Cherokee Scout, Thomas had just been transferred to Robbinsville around 3-4 weeks before his death, which occurred Dec. 29, 1947.
The Scout's report mapped out the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his passing.
The 25-year-old Thomas was accompanied by Graham County Sheriff Booth Crisp and officer George Sawyers on an attempt to execute an arrest warrant at the residence of 31-year-old Claude Jones. Perry Stewart had taken out the warrant earlier in the day, citing a scalp wound that was caused by Jones allegedly shooting him.
Located near the present-day Graham County Courthouse – which had only been open for five years at that point – the officers approached the home after dark, but a shot rang out through the door from what was described as a "high-caliber rifle," striking Thomas in the chest.
Crisp called for back-up and soon had 25 officers surrounding the home. Carter Riddle exited with his hands up after shots were fired into the residence; Carver was found in the house and apprehended; while Jones fled on foot, but was arrested shortly thereafter. The three men had reportedly been drinking when the shooting occurred; Jones was the lone resident of the home.
While officers were busy rounding up suspects, Thomas was fighting for his life in Cherokee County.
He had been rushed to Memorial Hospital in Andrews, where he underwent emergency surgery to repair the bullet wound. Thomas never woke up, passing away during the procedure as the bullet had entered near his heart.
He was buried in Allendale, S.C., where Thomas' parents resided at the time of his death.