On Monday, February 4, 2019 -- the sound of the bagpipes filled the air at the Raleigh Police Memorial in honor of a Raleigh Police Officer killed in the line of duty 39 years earlier. Raleigh Police Chief, Cassandra Deck-Brown reflected on the service and sacrifice of this officer.
On February 3, 1980, Officer Delma D. Adams was shot and killed while making a DUI arrest. Officer Adams had put the female suspect in the rear of the police car. As he sat in the driver’s seat the suspect produced a handgun and shot him in the back of the head through the patrol car’s cage.
His story echos like many others across our Nation. As we honor his life, it is important to note his death became a turning point for the Raleigh Police Department as they began to shape and change aspects of policing - including how they make custodial arrests.
Paying the ultimate sacrifice results in the loss of life that is of a greater cause than each of us individually or all of us collectively. That cause is why we stand here today. That cause was reflected in the commitment to duty, honor, service and safety on the part Officer Adams on behalf of those who live and work in the City of Raleigh.
As the bell sounded, a wreath was laid at the memorial. In this moment we reflected on the dignity and pride we share in honoring our fallen. We reflected on who we are, and why we were there.