Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff James Newcome was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a man for trying to sell sheep that had a levy imposed on them. Sheriff Newcome and two officers from the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles went to the man's home near the Great North Mountain. The man's son answered the door before the man suddenly opened fire with a shotgun, killing Sheriff Newcome. The man also shot and wounded one of the state officers before fleeing into the mountain woods. The subject was taken into custody after his dog led a posse to where he was hiding in the nearby hills. The man was charged with murder in connection with the incident and sentenced to death. He was executed in the electric chair on November 25th, 1938. Sheriff Newcome had served with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office for nearly one year.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-7D0FE471- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Newcome served with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Winchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Newcome.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James W. Newcome 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 VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Frederick County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James W. Newcome's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Newcome Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Newcome is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Newcome was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Frederick County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
