Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Ramsey succumbed to gunshot wounds he received when he was shot while raiding a liquor still on a farm in Ashland. Deputy Ramsey, the sheriff, and two officers were searching a barn when the man shot Deputy Ramsey before fleeing. Deputy Ramsey was taken to his home, where he died from his wounds five days later. The suspect was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison. The Alabama Supreme Court granted him a new trial, and he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 17 years. In 1923, he was awarded a third trial, convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to one year. Deputy Ramsey had served with the Clay County Sheriff's Office for seven months and previously served with the Ashland Police Department for at least two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-AF82967A- 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 Ramsey gave the Clay County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Piggott community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ramsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Benjamin Ramsey 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 AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 66.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Clay County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Benjamin Ramsey's cause is highlighted.
How James Benjamin Ramsey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Benjamin Ramsey is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Benjamin Ramsey was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Clay County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
