James R. Ryals

Monroe County Sheriff's Office — Clarendon, AR

Felonious

End of Watch March 11, 1922

Age 69

The Vigil Panel 42 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

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.

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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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

Department Monroe County Sheriff's Office

Location Clarendon, AR

Platform Identity mcso.monroe.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 11, 1922

Age 69

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Deputy Sheriff James R. Ryals is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 12.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

of 4 officers

75% Felonious

AR — Statewide

249

of 372 officers

66.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious