Roll of Honor
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
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Henry Diamond 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 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 72.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Henry Diamond's cause is highlighted.
How James Henry Diamond Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Henry Diamond is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Henry Diamond was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Kanawha County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
