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Incident
Patrolman Clemmie Curtis was shot and killed in the 1700 block of Ritter Boulevard after being placed in his own handcuffs. His body was found near his patrol car in the isolated area known as a lover's lane. In January of 1985, one of America's worst serial killers on death row in Texas confessed that he and his partner-in-crime, a man on death row in Florida, had killed Patrolman Curtis. The inmate died in a Texas prison in March of 2001. The inmate in Florida was the prime suspect in the death of Adam Walsh, the son of John Walsh who later created the television show America's Most Wanted. Authorities were still investigating the murder when the suspect died of cirrhosis of the liver while still incarcerated in September 1996. Patrolman Curtis was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Huntington Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Clemmie is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Curtis gave the Huntington Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntington community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Clemmie Everette Curtis served in the U.S. Army (1968â1970) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Huntington Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Clemmie is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Clemmie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Clemmie is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer at Huntington Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 2.
In 1976, 5 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clemmie was 30. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Huntington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 34.5; the middle age was 28.5. Clemmie had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Clemmie was 30. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Clemmie had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Clemmie was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Clemmie had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clemmie was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clemmie had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 33.3% of these deaths at Huntington Police Department; December holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 50%.
August holds 14.2% of these deaths in WV, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 19.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Huntington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Huntington Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Clemmie among them.
Where
Military Service
Clemmie Everette Curtis served in the U.S. Army (1968–1970) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Clemmie Everette Curtis’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Huntington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
