Roll of Honor
Incident
Inspector James Wood was shot and killed near Warsaw, in Richmond County, while attempting to serve a warrant. He had gone to the man's home with two other inspectors, one of whom was also his brother. The inspectors did not find the suspect but found five gallons of liquor. They learned that the man was on his way home and waited for the him to return. When the man arrived he went into his home, obtained a shotgun, and opened fire. Inspector Wood was struck in the head by the blast. The man then barricaded himself in his home for several hours before surrendering to the county sheriff. The killer was executed in June, 1932. Inspector Wood had served with the agency for eight years and had previously served as a federal agent for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-EA4798B0- 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.
Inspector Wood gave the Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector James Newton Wood 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 Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement, 8 of 8 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 Newton Wood's cause is highlighted.
How James Newton Wood Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Newton Wood is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Newton Wood was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement are honored on badge.nw.
