Cleveland NC Police Department

03/26/2026

03/20/2026

We would also like to thank the Iredell County Sheriff's Office and the York County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in this investigation.

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Stephen Buchanan entered a guilty plea related to the death of his uncle, Charles Knight. Mr. Knight's remains were found in the back yard of his home at 105 Johnstone Road in Cleveland, NC. On August 4, 2024, the Cleveland Police Department was called to do a wellness check for Mr. Knight and made the discovery.

Mr. Buchanan pled guilty to the following charges:

- Second Degree Murder
- Concealment of a Death
- Possession of a Firearm by Felon
- 4 Counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense

He was sentenced to 51-63 years in prison.

The SBI is proud of the great work by the men and women of the SBI, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Rowan County Sheriff's Office for thoroughly investigating this case and bringing closure to the family of the victim.

NC Sheriffs' Association North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police NC Department of Justice and Attorney General's Office Rowan County Sheriff's Office WSOC-TV WBTV News Queen City News WCNC Charlotte The Charlotte Observer

03/20/2026

📢 Community Update

We want to clarify for anyone who may have seen recent reports: no Town of Cleveland Police Officer has been injured in a shooting.

An earlier social media post incorrectly identified the agency involved. We encourage the public to rely on verified sources for accurate information.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer who was injured, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.