A wildlife officer fishing with his son is gunned down on Labor Day weekend in game lands in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest…and the case becomes one of the most hotly contested crimes at the time.
Dewie Henson McCall
Source: Officer Down Memorial Page and Find A Grave
Episode Source Material
- The Thomasville Times: Murder Charges to Caldwell man. By AP. Published September 7, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via Newspapers.com.
- The Charlotte Observer: Wildlife guard shot to death. From Observer wire reports. Published September 7, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via Newspapers.com.
- The News and Observer: Wildlife agent killed in Burke. Published September 7, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- The Charlotte Observer: Citation prompted violence. From Observer wire reports. Published September 7, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Man charged in murder still ailing. Published September 9, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Memorial set up to educate slain protector’s 3 sons. Published September 14, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: We applaud a good idea. Published September 14, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Asheville Citizen-Times: Dewie McCall’s death is a big loss to sportsmen. By Larry Mayer. Published September 19, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Caldwell man inducted for M’Call Death. Published September 23, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Bond posted in fishing death case. Published September 25, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Burke murder trial postponed to Feb. 14. Published November 23, 1971. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Trial begins today in Burke death. Published February 15, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via Newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: State offers testimony in Burke slaying. Published February 16, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Things calmer in Burke court after heated battle. Published February 18, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Caldwell man says gunning “Him or me.” Published February 19, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Appeal filed, bond posted in gun death. Published February 21, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Groups, individuals donate $1,500 for McCall memorial. Published April 3, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Appeal move ends in Burke slaying case. Published June 6, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Caldwell man begins serving murder term. Published June 29, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Hickory Daily Record: Trout Unlimited. Published November 17, 1972. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Roanoke-Chowan New-Herald: Fallen wildlife officers honored. Published December 30, 1981. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald: Wildlife officers risk is great. Published June 18, 1982. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- The Charlotte Observer: Monument will honor Burke law officer who died in the line of duty. By Jeff Feeley. Published January 21, 1996. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- The Charlotte Observer: N.C. wildlife commission to honor 10 who lost lives. By observer Staff and News Services. Published October 22, 1998. Accessed February 17, 2026, via newspapers.com.
- Dallas Key North Carolina Department of Corrections
- Officer Down Memorial Page: Dewie Henson McCall
- Find A Grave: Dewie Henson McCall
- Hickory Daily Record: Obit for Dallas Key