BOONE, N.C. — Flags in Boone are at half mast. Two Watauga County deputies were shot and killed last week in a standoff that left five dead.
Sgt. Chris Ward, 36, and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox, 25, were doing a welfare check when they were killed April 28.
The sheriff's office said Isaac Alton Barnes killed his mother Michelle Annette Ligon, 61, and stepfather George Wyatt Ligon, 58, in the home before deputies showed up.
Barnes, 32, killed himself during the 13-hour standoff with police and deputies.
Fox had been with the Watagua County Sheriff's Office for two years. He had previously served as a deputy in neighboring Ashe County.
Ward, a former police officer in nearby Beech Mountain, had been in law enforcement for eight years. He left behind a wife and two children, ages 5 and 19.
The deputies went to the home after the Ligon's coworkers called 911 because they hadn't shown up for work.
According to the sheriff, Fox and Ward knocked on the door and went into the house.
“They were walking from the main level downstairs. That’s when Mr. Barnes shot the officers,” Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman told Spectrum News 1.
Fox died in the home. A rescue squad with deputies and police managed to pull Ward from the house. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he later died from his injuries.
“This is an incredibly tragic situation and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved, as well as their families and our community,” Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman said. “I greatly appreciate the tremendous support we are receiving from law enforcement agencies across the region and the state.”
Services for the deputies were held at Holmes Convocation Center, which began at 3 p.m. Prior to that, a processional took place along Rivers Street. In lieu of flowers, officials say memorials may be made in care of the Watauga County Sheriff's Department, 184 Hodges Gap Road, Boone, N.C. 28607, to:
● Candice Ward for Sgt. Ward
● Tim Fox or Anneliese Moody for K-9 Deputy Fox