Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff James West was shot and killed as he and the county jailer attempted to arrest a man who had been been making threats to neighbors. As the officers walked across the man's porch the man opened fire, striking Sheriff West in the head.
The suspect, age 50, a former mental patient, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life on September 25, 1925. He died at the Western State Lunatic Asylum on August 14, 1954.
Sheriff West had served as sheriff for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-BBF0E6A2- 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.
Sheriff West gave the Fulton County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hickman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff West.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James O. West 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Fulton County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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 O. West's cause is highlighted.
How James O. West Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in mental hospital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James O. West is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James O. West was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fulton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
