Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Deputy Sheriff

James Henry Diamond

Kanawha County Sheriff's Office — Charleston, WV

Felonious

End of Watch August 20, 1941

Age 55

The Vigil Panel 78 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Deputy Sheriff James Diamond was shot and killed with his own service weapon while attempting to arrest a man for creating a disturbance on Court Street. The man fled into Vickers Alley and was pursued by Deputy Diamond. During the ensuing struggle, the man was able to gain control of Deputy Diamond's service weapon and shot him. The suspect was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to one year in prison on October 14th, 1941.

Survivors

Deputy Diamond was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-C2A1FB38
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Diamond served with the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Diamond.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Kanawha County Sheriff's Office

Location Charleston, WV

Platform Identity kcso.kanawha.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 20, 1941

Age 55

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to 1 year

Deputy Sheriff James Henry Diamond is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Kanawha County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Kanawha County Sheriff's Office

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Henry Diamond's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James Henry Diamond Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 1 year

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Henry Diamond is highlighted in Aug.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Henry Diamond was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Kanawha County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.