COPS 2022 – present
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Francisco Paul Flattes
Gender : Male
Age : 56
Race : Black
Date : 06/30/2025
Location : Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, orthopedics office
City : Murphy
County : Cherokee
State : North Carolina
Agency : Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed on duty during medical escort
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 06/30/2025, during a medical appointment at Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Murphy, a federal inmate overpowered Officer Francisco Paul Flattes, took his weapon, and shot him. Officer Flattes was pronounced dead at the hospital. Officer George Feinauer was injured during the struggle but survived. The inmate fled in a stolen vehicle and was later apprehended in Macon County. The incident is under investigation.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://apnews.com/article/d7197b3880ebaab0f92ed2ab532e3ce7
https://www.wyff4.com/article/deputy-dies-shot-by-federal-inmate-north-carolina-cherokee/65256914
https://abcnews.go.com/US/north-carolina-cherokee-county-detention-officer-shot-killed-inmate-medical-visit/story?id=123357979
