Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Ryals and Deputized Civilian Alfred Camp were shot and killed while attempting to arrest two robbery suspects in Monroe.
Deputy Ryals had deputized Alfred Camp and his father two assist with arresting the two men who had robbed a hardware store in Wheatley the previous night. As they approached the pair one of the men opened fire with a shotgun, killing Deputy Ryals and Deputized Civilian Camp, and wounding Deputy Civilian Camp's father.
The men fled into a nearby swamp but were arrested several hours later. One, age 21, was charged with both murders. On May 1, 1922, he was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death. His sentenced was commuted to life on October 18, 1922.
Deputy Ryals was a widower.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-AR-06F5DF7C- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Ryals served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Clarendon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ryals.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James R. Ryals 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 Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James R. Ryals's cause is highlighted.
How James R. Ryals Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James R. Ryals is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James R. Ryals was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
