Cherokee County Officer Fatally Shot During Inmate Escape Attempt at North Carolina Hospital

CHEROKEE COUNTY, NC — A Cherokee County detention officer was fatally shot Monday afternoon after a federal inmate attempted to escape during a hospital transport in Murphy, according to state investigators.

The officer has been identified as Francisco Paul Flattes, 56, who had worked with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for more than four years. The incident took place at Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, where Flattes was escorting the inmate when he was overpowered and shot.

Community and family in mourning

Sheriff Dustin Smith confirmed that Flattes’ wife is also employed at the detention center and that his son-in-law serves as a deputy with the department. The loss has deeply shaken the tight-knit law enforcement and Cherokee County community.

Flattes had a long history of public service, including prior work with:

• The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians

• The Clay County Sheriff’s Office

• The Florida Department of Children and Families

• The Florida Department of Corrections

Support for the fallen officer’s family

In response to the tragedy, Back The Blue NC, Inc. launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Flattes’ surviving family members. The nonprofit organization stated that 100% of donations will go directly to the family to help cover funeral expenses, lost income, and unforeseen costs.

“Officer Flattes made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community,” said Lindsay LiCausi, Founder and CEO of Back The Blue NC. “We are committed to standing by his family just as he stood for us.”

Hospital releases statement, investigation ongoing

In a statement released later that evening, Erlanger Health System expressed condolences and emphasized that the incident was isolated:

“Our thoughts are with the fallen officer’s family, colleagues, and all those impacted,” the hospital said. “We are working with local authorities to ensure our campus is safe for everyone.”

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is currently leading the investigation into the inmate’s escape attempt and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No further details about the inmate have been released at this time.

Additional coverage is available from WYFF News 4.

What’s your message to the family of Officer Flattes or local law enforcement? Leave a comment to show your support and stay connected with more updates at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.