Sergeant Howard Plouff
Brief Description of Incident

Winston-Salem Police Department Public Record Release - February 24, 2007

On February 23, 2007, at approximately 2:00AM, Sergeant Howard Plouff, a 17-year veteran of our department, answered a call for help from Forsyth County sheriff’s deputies. The deputies were working an off-duty work assignment at the Red Rooster bar located at 703 Jonestown Rd. Several fights had occurred and the deputies needed assistance to stop the fights and help control the crowd. Prior to the arrival of Winston-Salem Police officers, a bouncer at the club fired a gun in the air.

Sgt. Plouff, and several other officers arrived in the parking lot of the Red Rooster and were at different locations. Several shots were fired and police officers and deputies began walking toward the middle of the parking lot. Police officers and other witnesses report that more gunshots were heard.

The scene was extremely hectic and numerous people were running and screaming in the parking lot. While assisting with crowd control, Sgt. Plouff was shot once in the face by an unknown assailant. A police officer began performing CPR in an attempt to save Sgt. Plouff’s life. Paramedics arrived on the scene and Sgt. Plouff was rushed to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Sgt. Plouff fought for his life for over 21 hours and he died at 10-42 PM, in the presence of his loving family and police friends. Howard was a wonderful person who dedicated his life to the service of others. He died while answering the call for help from a fellow law enforcement officer.

Howard’s family and the Winston-Salem Police Department are extremely grateful for all of the thoughts, prayers and support everyone has provided.

Please continue to pray for strength for Howard’s family as they struggle through this terrible tragedy.

A viewing for Sergeant Plouff will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 4820 Kinnamon in Clemmons, NC from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Monday, February 26, 2007.

The Funeral service will be held at the same location on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 1100 AM.

Burial arrangements have not been finalized at this time.

Sergeant Howard Plouff is survived by his wife Joyce and his two daughters, Brandy and Holly.

A fund has been created through the Police Benevolent Foundation in honor of the memory of Sergeant Howard J. Plouff.

This fund has been set up at Wachovia Bank, whereby anyone can walk into any Wachovia Bank and make a donation. The name of the fund is The Sergeant Howard Plouff Memorial Fund. No account number is needed to make a donation.

One hundred percent of the funds deposited into the account will go to the family of Sergeant Plouff.

For questions in regards to this account, please contact Lieutenant Brad Yandell at 336-773-7902.