Incident
Police Officer Jimmy Adams was shot and killed while making a DUI arrest. Officer Adams had put the female suspect in the rear of the police car. As Officer Adams sat in the driver's seat near the Raleigh Police Department, the suspect produced a handgun and shot him in the back of the head through the patrol car's cage. The suspect, 29, was sentenced to life. She died in prison in August 2025. Officer Adams had served with the Raleigh Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-161A7811- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Adams gave the Raleigh Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Adams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Delma Devon Adams is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Raleigh Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Delma Devon Adams's cause is highlighted.
How Delma Devon Adams Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Delma Devon Adams is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Delma Devon Adams was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Raleigh Police Department are honored on badge.nw.







