Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Summers was shot and killed in Morgan Gulch while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a 18 year-old youth for burglary of a rancher's cabin. The suspect was apprehended the following day. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison May 26, 1901. In 1913 his sentence was reduced to 20 to 25 years. Sheriff Summers was survived by his wife and five children. He is buried in the Virginia City Cemetery.
Survivors
Sheriff Summers was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MT-0B8DC5BF- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Summers gave the Madison County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Virginia City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Summers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James E. Summers 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 MT, 93 of 142 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.5% of this state's fallen. That is 65.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Madison 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 E. Summers's cause is highlighted.
How James E. Summers Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James E. Summers is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James E. Summers was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
