Skip to Main Content

Clayton, North Carolina: Policeman-Ghost Made of Rocks

The void left when a police officer dies in the line of duty is creatively conveyed by slabs of slate, pushed out to form a kind of pixelated policeman. "Cornerstones" sculptured by Christian Karkow.

Address:
201 S. Barbour St., Clayton, NC
Directions:
Downtown, on the southeast corner of S. Barbour St. and E. 2nd St., at the corner of the town's new police station.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Policeman-Ghost Made of Rocks

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Policeman-Ghost Made of Rocks.

Policeman-Ghost Made of Rocks

This memorial to fallen police officers is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. I don't know if you're able to go indoors to see the concave side of it, especially with Covid restrictions, but we got there after hours so we couldn't even try.

[Kristopher Yoder, 06/21/2022]

The inside view.

Policeman-Ghost Made of Rocks

Notes from the architects and artists: The "rocks" are water-jet bluestone slate stacked to configure a larger-than-life Clayton Police Officer. The memorial is adjacent to the police department's roll-call meeting room where officers meet each morning to discuss cases and get their assignments. The sculpture is a representation of that officer stepping out into the community to protect and serve. Inside the building the inverse of the figure is found, creating a void where the officer had been. Adjacent to the void are the names of the officers no longer a part of the community.

The memorial thereby creates two distinct spaces: one for public commemoration and one for private contemplation.

[JZ, 06/10/2014]

Cornerstones.

Policeman-Ghost Made of Rocks

The sculpture is called "Cornerstones," and was designed and built by Christian Karkow with Clearscapes, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

[Abby Nardo, 06/07/2014]

Policeman-Ghost Made of Rocks.

Policeman-Ghost Made of Rocks

A memorial at the town's new police station is dedicated to officers who were killed in the line of duty. It's made from slabs of slate, pushed out to form a larger-than-life police officer exiting the building. Inside is a relief of the same shape, representing the void that's left behind when an officer is killed. Also inside are the names of three Clayton police officers who died in the line of duty.

[Glenn Bass, 05/15/2012]

The memorial was unveiled in October 2011. First thought it was a cowboy, but then realized it was a policeman wearing a Smokey Bear hat.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Hydrocephalic Daniel BooneHydrocephalic Daniel Boone, Wendell, NC - 11 mi.
White Deer, Famous AlbinoWhite Deer, Famous Albino, Garner, NC - 10 mi.
Daniel Boone: Pioneer GiantDaniel Boone: Pioneer Giant, Four Oaks, NC - 12 mi.
In the region:
Roadside Rock Grave of Senator Jeffreys, Harris Crossroads, NC - 22 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

North Carolina Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings