Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant James West was stabbed to death by a female mental patient. The woman's family had requested assistance in transporting her to a state mental hospital and Lieutenant West responded to the home. The woman was committed to a state hospital. Lieutenant West had served with the Decatur County Sheriff's Office for 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-093FEAFF- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Lieutenant West gave the Decatur County Sheriff's Office 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bainbridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant West.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant James M. West, Sr. 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Decatur 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 M. West, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James M. West, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James M. West, Sr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James M. West, Sr. was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Decatur County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
