Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff James Dow was shot and killed as he exited the bank building on Fox Street, near Canal Street, in the town of Eddy (present day Carlsbad). As he exited the building, the former Sheriff of Eddy County and an accomplice ambushed him. The subjects were political foes of Sheriff Dow and were angry that Sheriff Dow had ended corruption in the Eddy County Sheriff's Office. Both men were arrested and charged with murder but were acquitted at trial. It was reported that one of the men had bribed witnesses to give perjured testimony at trial. The chief suspect died in 1935. Sheriff Dow had served with the Eddy County Sheriff's Office for seven weeks and was a former Chaves County deputy sheriff, Deputy United States Marshal and range detective.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-A0BF84DB- 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.
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Tributes
129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Dow gave the Eddy County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carlsbad community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James Leslie Dow 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Eddy County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 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 Leslie Dow's cause is highlighted.
How James Leslie Dow Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Leslie Dow is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Leslie Dow was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Eddy County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
