Deputy dies just 2 hours into his first day on job, North Carolina sheriff says

A young deputy collapsed and died his first day on the job in North Carolina, leaving his family scrambling to cover funeral expenses, according to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

Aaron O’Neal Shipman Jr., 25, “succumbed to a sudden illness” Monday, July 21, according to an S&L Funeral Home obituary.

He was one of nine new employees sworn in at 9 a.m. that day, the sheriff’s office said.

“Tragically, just two hours into their first day of duty, one of our newly sworn detention officers suffered a sudden and severe medical emergency,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post.

“Our staff responded immediately and did everything within their power while awaiting the arrival of emergency medical services. ... Despite the valiant efforts of the medical team, the individual sadly passed away.”

The specific cause of Shipman’s death has not been released.

He had not been working long enough to qualify for life insurance coverage through the department, officials said.

The sheriff’s office has launched a community fund drive to help cover the cost of an Aug. 1 funeral service at West Columbus High School in Cerro Gordo.

“When someone raises their hand and takes the oath to serve, they become part of our family,” Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers said in a Facebook post.

“We experienced a profound and painful loss — one that words cannot fully capture. We pray for comfort for the family and loved ones of this brave individual, and we grieve with them.”

This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 1:15 PM with the headline "Deputy dies just 2 hours into his first day on job, North Carolina sheriff says."