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Edmisten Added to Memorial for Fallen Officers, Joins Six Other Names

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By Jesse Wood

The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office recognized former Watauga County Sheriff Abram ‘Abe’ Edmisten on its memorial located off of Hodges Gap Road.

Edmisten died in a car accident after leaving Central Prison in Raleigh, where he dropped off a prisoner. The accident occurred on June 17, 1952, and Edmisten passed away several days later on June 23, 1952.

Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman said that due to an oversight, Edmisten’s name wasn’t added to the memorial when it was constructed last summer.

Survivors of Sheriff Edmisten, granddaughter Rebecca Edmisten Younce, and Retired Watauga County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Steve Edmisten, spearheaded an effort to formally recognize Sheriff Edmisten’s passing in the line of duty, over the past year.

Edmisten’s name was added to the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial as part of the 27th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2015, as part of National Police Week.

On Saturday, July 25, a memorial service for Edmisten was held at the site of the memorial.

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